Breaking News!!! Former Prince, Andrew Mountbatton Windsor Arrested.

Breaking News: Former Prince, Andrew Arrested on Suspicion of Misconduct in Public Office

In a dramatic development, Prince Andrew, the Duke of York and younger brother of King Charles III, has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

According to a statement from Thames Valley Police, the 66-year-old royal is currently in custody while officers conduct further enquiries. Police confirmed they are executing search warrants at properties linked to him in Berkshire and Norfolk, including activity reported at the Sandringham Estate earlier this morning.

What Is the Allegation?

The arrest follows an assessment of a formal complaint relating to the alleged sharing of confidential material with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

Police have not yet specified the nature of the confidential material in question, nor clarified the timeframe of the alleged misconduct. However, misconduct in public office is a serious common law offence in the UK, typically applied when a public official is accused of wilfully neglecting their duties or abusing their position of trust.

At this stage, authorities have emphasised that the arrest is part of an ongoing investigation and that no charges have been filed.

A Royal Already Under Scrutiny

Prince Andrew stepped back from public duties in 2019 following intense criticism over his association with Epstein and his widely condemned interview on BBC’s Newsnight. In 2022, he reached an out-of-court settlement in a civil sexual assault case in the United States, while continuing to deny the allegations against him.

He was subsequently stripped of his military titles and royal patronages and no longer uses the style “His Royal Highness” in an official capacity.

Palace Response

Buckingham Palace has not yet issued a detailed response. Given that Prince Andrew is no longer a working royal, the situation is expected to be handled primarily as a legal matter rather than a constitutional one. However, the optics are significant, particularly given the location of the searches and the renewed public focus on the Royal Family’s past handling of controversies.

What Happens Next?

Prince Andrew remains in custody for questioning.

Police investigations and property searches are ongoing.

The Crown Prosecution Service would determine whether any charges will follow.

As always, an arrest does not equate to guilt. Prince Andrew has consistently and strenuously denied wrongdoing.

This is a developing story. More updates expected as official statements emerge.