Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the Duke of York, was arrested by Thames Valley Police on suspicion of misconduct in public office and later released under investigation, an extraordinary development that has intensified scrutiny of the British monarchy and prompted King Charles to declare, "Let me state clearly: the law must take its course."
Police said they had arrested "a man in his sixties from Norfolk" and were carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk. Authorities did not formally name the suspect, citing national guidance, and emphasized that the case is now active. By the end of the day, police confirmed the man had been released under investigation and that searches in Norfolk had concluded.
The arrest, which occurred on Andrew's 66th birthday, centers on the rarely used common-law offense of misconduct in public office. The charge typically applies when a public official is suspected of abusing authority entrusted to them. British contempt-of-court rules limit what media organizations may publish once proceedings become active, prompting police to urge caution.
Andrew had recently relocated to the Sandringham estate after departing Royal Lodge in Windsor. Sandringham, a private royal property, has historically served as a secluded residence for members of the royal family. Its association with the investigation underscores the sensitivity of the matter for Buckingham Palace.
Tim Shipman of The Spectator, citing palace sources, reported that "The Palace is terrified" about potential fallout. Shipman wrote that insiders would prefer clarity-"tried and convicted and sent to prison, or tried and cleared"-arguing that prolonged ambiguity poses a reputational risk for the monarchy.
Separate reporting suggested concerns within Whitehall that investigators may be "trawling" beyond civilian matters, raising speculation about a possible "military dimension." The scope of the inquiry has not been publicly defined by police.
King Charles addressed the matter in a formal statement, saying he had learned "with the deepest concern" of the arrest and emphasizing that the issue must proceed through "the full, fair and proper process" handled by "the appropriate authorities." He added, "Let me state clearly: the law must take its course," signaling institutional distance from his brother while affirming cooperation with investigators.
The renewed scrutiny also intersects with ongoing international attention surrounding the late Jeffrey Epstein. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Justice released millions of pages of documents related to Epstein, reigniting examination of individuals who had past associations with him. Andrew has previously denied wrongdoing in matters linked to Epstein.
