Former Prince Andrés arrested on his 66th birthday for the Epstein case

The English police arrested this Thursday the former Prince Andrew, son of the late Queen Elizabeth II, on suspicion of “misconduct in the exercise of public office” during his time as special envoy for International Trade. The arrest coincides with his 66th birthday and is part of new revelations linked to the case of American financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Thames Valley Police confirmed in a statement the capture of “a man in his sixties in Norfolk”, without officially naming him, in accordance with standard practice in the United Kingdom. However, the British press identified the detainee as Prince Andrew, Duke of York, who currently uses the name Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor after being stripped of his titles.

OPERATION IN SANDRINGHAM

Images broadcast by local media showed unmarked vehicles—presumably police—entering the Sandringham estate, residence of King Charles III, located in the east of England, where Andrés moved in early February.

The official statement added that searches are being carried out at two addresses in England as part of the investigation and confirmed that the suspect remains in custody.

Accusation of misconduct in public office can carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, according to the Crown Prosecution Service.

CONFIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS AND LINKS WITH EPSTEIN

The arrest occurs days after the publication of new documents from US judicial files that suggest that the former prince had shared confidential information with Epstein when he served as special representative for International Trade between 2001 and 2011.

Among the emails revealed is a message dated December 24, 2010, in which Andrés would have sent a “confidential report” on investment opportunities in Afghanistan. Other documents suggest sending reports on official trips to China, Singapore and Vietnam.

The revelations reignite scrutiny over the relationship between the royal family member and the financier, who died in prison in 2019 while facing sex trafficking charges.

BACKGROUND AND PREVIOUS ACCUSATIONS

The former prince’s name had already been linked to the scandal due to sexual assault complaints filed by Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of abuse when he was a minor. Giuffre committed suicide in 2025. Other women also indicated that Epstein sent them to meet with Andrés in different countries.

In parallel, the prosecution maintains contact with the London police in an open investigation into Peter Mandelson, former British ambassador in Washington, suspected of having transmitted confidential documentation to the same financier.

Surrey Police also reported that they are reviewing a report with redacted portions that mentions alleged crimes of human trafficking and sexual assault against a minor between 1994 and 1996 in Virginia Water. However, he claimed to have found no prior record of a formal complaint in his records.

STRIPPED OF TITLES, BUT IN THE LINE OF SUCCESSION

Last year, King Charles III stripped his brother of his official titles and duties, as well as asking him to leave his residence in Windsor. Despite this, Andrew remains eighth in line to the British throne.

The arrest marks an unprecedented event in the recent history of the British monarchy and deepens the reputational crisis that has surrounded the royal environment for years. As the investigation progresses, the case once again puts institutional transparency and accountability at the highest levels of power under pressure.

With information from AFP