Disgraced ex-Prince Andrew was arrested Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office for allegedly forwarding confidential trade documents to pedophile pal Jeffrey Epstein.
At least six unmarked police cars and around eight plainclothes officers swooped onto the king’s brother’s Sandringham Estate in eastern England early Thursday — Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s 66th birthday.
Andrew — who is still eighth in line for the throne — faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted.
British police at the Sandringham Estate on Thursday.
One officer was seen carrying a police-issued laptop after arriving at Sandringham around 8 a.m., with the cars leaving around 30 minutes later.
Police also searched a separate property in Berkshire — reportedly his former home, Royal Lodge — the force said, without directly identifying the king’s brother, citing strict UK laws.
Andrew remains in custody, a Thames Valley Police spokesperson said.
Andrew was reported to Thames Valley Police earlier this month over alleged misconduct in public office following complaints that documents in the Epstein files allegedly showed he’d shared trade documents with the convicted sex offfender.
The royal family was not told in advance that Andrew would be arrested, as reported by BBC News. The queen is continuing with today’s engagements in central London.
The arrest came just hours after UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said that “nobody is above the law” when asked if Andrew should voluntarily speak to investigators about his pervy pal.
“I think that’s a matter for the police,” he told the BBC.
“They will conduct their own investigations, but one of the core principles in our system is that everybody is equal under the law and nobody is above the law.
“It’s a very important principle of our country … and it has to apply in this case in the same way it would in any other case.”
Andrew’s arrest also comes after a slew of UK police forces said they were investigating evidence within the trove of Department of Justice-released files.
A total of 87 flights linked to Epstein arrived at or departed from UK airports from the early 1990s to 2018.
Andrew was initially investigated over long-running claims by Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre that she was made to have sex with him three times — starting when she was 17 — on orders from Epstein and his madam, Ghislaine Maxwell.
Former Prince Andrew with Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell in an undated photo.
Andrew was never charged and has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
However, he paid millions of pounds to Giuffre in a civil settlement, while continuing to deny wrongdoing. He also lost his royal duties and titles over the scandal of his close friendship with Epstein and Maxwell.
Giuffre died by suicide last year, but her siblings and their spouses celebrated news of Andrew’s arrest.
“At last,” they said in a statement soon after news of the arrest broke. “Today, our broken hearts have been lifted at the news that no one is above the law, not even royalty.
“On behalf of our sister, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, we extend our gratitude to the UK’s Thames Valley Police for their investigation, and the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
“He was never a prince. For survivors everywhere, Virginia did this for you.”
Donald Trump’s Five-Word Reaction After Shocking Arrest
Donald responded to Andrew’s arrest, which stems from suspicion of misconduct in public office related to his connections with Jeffrey Epstein. Speaking briefly, he said, “I think it’s a shame,” before adding, “I think it’s very sad. I think it’s so bad for the Royal family.”
He continued, “And to see what’s going on with his brother, obviously, coming to our country very soon, and he’s a fantastic man… king. So I think it’s a sad thing.”
The arrest comes as British authorities investigate allegations that Andrew shared confidential information with Jeffrey while serving as a trade envoy for the U.K. The former prince has denied any wrongdoing in connection with Jeffrey.
