British authorities have arrested Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew. Although information about the arrest is limited, Mountbatten-Windsor is being investigated for abusing his office as a member of the British royal family, which comes after his brother, King Charles III, stripped Andrew of his royal titles and privileges over his alleged participation in Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking crimes.

The former Prince Andrew was arrested after additional Epstein information was released

NBC News reported that Mountbatten-Windsor was taken into custody by British police on Thursday, his 66th birthday. As is standard practice for police in the United Kingdom, Thames Valley Police didn’t confirm by name that they had arrested Mountbatten-Windsor, only confirming that a man in his 60s was taken into custody based on suspicion that he had committed misconduct while in public office. Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said in a statement, “We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time.” Wright also clarified that “following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office.” Although police made no direct reference to the Jeffrey Epstein case, the arrest comes after the recent release of millions of Epstein files showed more information about Mountbatten-Windsor, including photos of the then-prince crouched over a female lying on the floor.

Years of scrutiny over involvement with Epstein and accusations of sex crimes

Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest comes as he has faced years of suspicion and accusations concerning his ties to Epstein. He has publicly denied criminal wrongdoing but has expressed regret for his years-long relationship with Epstein. However, Mountbatten-Windsor’s claims to have cut ties with Epstein have been contradicted by evidence showing the two men remained in contact far longer than claimed, even after Epstein had been jailed for sex crimes involving minors. In 2025, King Charles III responded to the controversies by stripping him of most of his royal privileges and his royal titles, including the title “Prince Andrew.” Charles responded to the arrest by offering his “full and wholehearted support and co-operation” for the investigation, expressing, “Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.”

Virginia Giuffre accused Epstein of trafficking her to Mountbatten-Windsor

Thursday’s arrest is the latest legal fight for Mountbatten-Windsor as he faces misconduct accusations. Most notably, Epstein survivor Virginia Roberts Giuffre accused Mountbatten-Windsor of having sex with her when she was a minor after being provided to Mountbatten-Windsor by Epstein and his co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell. Giuffre elaborated upon her alleged encounters in a 2025 book, published months after she died by suicide. Although Mountbatten-Windsor settled a lawsuit brought by Giuffre for sexual assault, he has denied the accusation, including by claiming that he doesn’t remember posing for a picture in which he has his arms around the waist of Giuffre, who appears to be a teenager in the image. As Giuffre explained in an interview about her encounter with Andrew, “I knew I had to keep him happy because that’s what Jeffrey and Ghislaine would expect from me.”

Giuffre’s family reacted to Thursday’s arrest, saying, “At last, today, our broken hearts have been lifted at the news that no one is above the law, not even royalty.” With police continuing to investigate and the British monarch pledging his cooperation with the case against his brother, it appears that Mountbatten-Windsor may finally have to answer for the accusations made against him.