Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was released under investigation from police custody Thursday evening, following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
He was later photographed returning to the royal Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, England, hours after unmarked police vehicles and plain-clothed officers carried out one of two searches.
Thames Valley Police confirmed that their searches in Norfolk have concluded, though “the searches in Berkshire are still underway.”
Following U.K. guidance, the police did not name the individual, instead referring to him as “a man in his sixties from Norfolk.” Andrew’s arrest coincided with his 66th birthday.
“Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office,” said Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright, noting the public interest in the case. “It is important that we protect the integrity and objectivity of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged offence.”
Norfolk Police confirmed to TIME that it is assisting the Thames Valley Police investigation.
King Charles III expressed “the deepest concern” over his brother’s arrest, noting the scrutiny Andrew has faced over his ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
“What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities. In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation,” Charles said in a statement shared by Buckingham Palace.
Emphasizing that “the law must take its course,” he added, “As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.”
Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing. TIME reached out to his representatives for comment.
The exact nature of the allegations against Andrew has not yet been disclosed. However, Thames Valley Police had previously confirmed on Feb. 9 that they were “assessing the information” regarding claims that Andrew, while serving as the U.K. trade envoy, shared confidential government reports with Epstein.
These reports reportedly detailed trips to Singapore, China, Hong Kong, and Vietnam in 2010 and 2011.
The allegations arose from newly released correspondence between Andrew and Epstein, included in the U.S. Department of Justice’s final drop of Epstein files on Jan. 30.
One email, sent to someone titled, “The Duke” and forwarded to Epstein, stated, “Please find attached the visit reports for Vietnam, Singapore, Hong Kong and Shenzhen in relation to your recent visit to South East Asia.” Another email appeared to outline an investment opportunity in Afghanistan.
Prior to being stripped of his royal titles last year, Andrew was known as the Duke of York.
The DOJ documents also contained a photograph of Andrew leaning over a woman on the floor. The woman’s face was redacted, and the timing and location of the photo remain unclear. It was displayed behind U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi as she testified before the House Judiciary Committee on Feb. 11.
Police are also reviewing a fresh allegation that Epstein sent a woman to Andrew at the Royal Lodge residence in Windsor in 2010.
“We are aware of reports about a woman said to have been taken to an address in Windsor in 2010 for sexual purposes,” a Thames Valley Police spokesperson told TIME on Feb. 4. “We are assessing the information in line with our established procedures.”
The renewed allegations have reignited questions about Andrew’s relationship with Epstein and his conduct.
Before news of the arrest broke, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told the BBC, “Nobody is above the law. Anybody who has any information should testify, whether it’s Andrew or anyone else,” echoing remarks by Hillary Clinton earlier in the week.
Starmer recently faced calls to resign over his appointment of Peter Mandelson as U.K. ambassador to the U.S. in early 2025, despite Mandelson’s known ties to Epstein.
Mandelson was later sacked, after DOJ files suggested he had leaked sensitive government information to Epstein while serving as Business Secretary. A police investigation into Mandelson for alleged misconduct in public office is ongoing.
U.S. President, Donald Trump, also commented on Andrew’s arrest and the ongoing Epstein-related fallout, saying Thursday evening: “I think it’s a shame. I think it’s very sad. I think it’s so bad for the royal family.”
“It’s really interesting, because nobody used to speak about Epstein when he was alive, but now they speak,” Trump added. “But I’m the one that can talk about it because [I have] been totally exonerated.”
Andrew’s relationship with Epstein and continued communication after Epstein’s initial conviction, has long been scrutinized. Epstein was first sentenced in 2008 to 18 months imprisonment for soliciting prostitution, including from someone under 18, and was awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges when he died in 2019.
Andrew was interviewed on BBC’s Newsnight in 2019 over his 2010 visits to Epstein in New York. He was accused of sexual abuse by Epstein’s prominent victim, the late Virginia Giuffre, an allegation he strongly denied.
During the interview, Andrew claimed no recollection of meeting Giuffre and questioned the authenticity of a photo showing himself, Giuffre, and Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence for conspiring to sexually abuse minors.
In January 2022, Andrew was stripped of military titles and royal patronages amid a civil sexual abuse case brought by Giuffre, which he later settled for an undisclosed sum. He lost his remaining titles in late 2025, following further allegations by Giuffre, who passed away in April 2025.
Amid growing scrutiny, Andrew moved out of his Windsor residence, the Royal Lodge, in early February and is currently residing at Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate.
