Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Arrested for Sharing Data with Epstein

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested by Thames Valley Police on his 66th birthday following allegations of misconduct in public office during his tenure as a trade envoy. Investigators are examining claims that the former prince shared sensitive government documents and investment reports with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein between 2001 and 2011. While Buckingham Palace signaled cooperation with the authorities, Keir Starmer emphasized that no one is above the law after police conducted raids at properties in Norfolk and Berkshire. The legal escalation comes after the release of new documents and years of scrutiny regarding the royal's ties to the late financier.The arrest occurred at the Sandringham estate where eight plain-clothes officers and six unmarked vehicles were observed during the morning operation. Additional searches were carried out at residential addresses in Berkshire as part of the widening probe into the alleged sharing of official business reports. If convicted of the serious common law offense of misconduct in public office, the former royal could face a maximum sentence of life in prison. Authorities can hold the suspect for up to 96 hours while they determine if formal charges will be brought against him.The investigation also references claims that Jeffrey Epstein sent a second woman to the U.K. for a sexual encounter with the former prince. These developments follow the 2025 suicide of Virginia Giuffre, who had previously settled a sexual abuse lawsuit against Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in 2022. King Charles III, who stripped his brother of all royal titles in 2024, now faces renewed pressure to ensure full transparency within the monarchy. Documents also suggest that an aide to Peter Mandelson may have shared materials with the financier under specific instructions.The former Duke of York has consistently maintained his innocence and denied any criminal wrongdoing throughout the long-running scandal. Legal experts note that misconduct in public office requires proof of a willful and serious abuse of public trust rather than a simple error in judgment. This marks an unprecedented legal moment in British history as a member of the royal family is taken into police custody for criminal investigation. The monarchy is expected to provide further updates as the case remains active and subject to strict reporting restrictions.