Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was released from custody on Thursday evening.
Unprecedented and seismic are two words that summed up Thursday. A day that was being written into the (royal) history books as it happened. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The ex-prince is accused of sharing confidential material during his time as trade envoy with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
On Thursday morning, 19th February, officers in six unmarked vehicles from Thames Valley Police descended on Wood Farm of the Sandringham Estate to serve an arrest warrant for the former Duke of York. Police said they were also searching residences in Berkshire and Norfolk as they took the ex-royal to Aylsham Police Investigation Centre (PIC) for questioning.
Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said,
“Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office.
It is important that we protect the integrity and objectivity of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged offence.
We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time.”
King Charles, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s elder brother, released a statement around an hour later, in part saying,
“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.”
It is understood that the Royal Family was not informed of the arrest before the events in Sandringham yesterday morning, though, as per protocol, the Home Office was alerted around 30 minutes before.
Later on Thursday evening, shortly after 7 pm, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was seen lying in the back seat of a Range Rover as he was released from police custody “under investigation.” The former prince was driven the some 36 miles/57 kilometres back to the Sandringham Estate.
Ailsa Anderson, former Press Secretary to Queen Elizabeth II from 2001 to 2013, told the BBC, “He looked dazed, he looked shell-shocked.”
Following his release from the Aylsham Police Investigation Centre (PIC), Thames Valley Police issued an update saying,
“The arrested man has now been released under investigation.
We can also confirm that our searches in Norfolk have now concluded.
Our searches in Berkshire are still underway.”
It remains to be seen what will transpire from the arrest and subsequent questioning on Thursday, i.e., whether charges will be brought.
This is believed to be the first royal arrested in modern history, with the last being Charles I in 1647, around 350 years ago.
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