Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on Thursday morning on suspicion of misconduct in public office and was released shortly after 7:00pm.
Plain-clothed police officers were seen arriving at Sandringham, the King's private estate in Norfolk, in patrol cars just after 8am. The former Prince, who turns 66 today, is living at Wood Farm Cottage after the King evicted him from his home of 22 years, Royal Lodge, in Windsor.
© UK Press via Getty ImagesAndrew is now in custody where he can expect to face formal questions. An arrest means that police can also search his homes, including his former property Royal Lodge in Windsor, where he lived for over 20 years. Officers have been seen at the gates of the royal residence.
Thames Valley Police said police were also carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk.
What happened at Andrew's arrest
Six unmarked police cars and around eight plain clothed officers, with one carrying a police-issue laptop, were seen arriving at Wood Farm.
One of the cars drove down the front drive and the other five went in the back entrance to the five-bedroom farmhouse in the village of Wolferton.
An unmarked Norfolk police car was seen leaving around 30 minutes later, followed by another unmarked police car, then a third car containing Andrew’s security. It is not known whether Andrew was in the third car with his security team.
© Bav Media
© Bav Media
© Bav Media
© Bav MediaThames Valley Police statement
Thames Valley Police shared a statement after the arrest, although they did not name Andrew specifically. It read:
"As part of the investigation, we have today (19/2) arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office and are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk.
The man remains in police custody at this time.
"We will not be naming the arrested man, as per national guidance. Please also remember that this case is now active so care should be taken with any publication to avoid being in contempt of court."
Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright also 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."
'Misconduct in public office' explained
Andrew is the first senior royal in modern history to be arrested.
Thames Valley Police previously said the force was reviewing allegations that a woman was trafficked to the UK by Jeffrey Epstein to have a sexual encounter with Andrew, as well as claims Andrew shared sensitive information with the paedophile while serving as the UK's trade envoy.
So what is "misconduct in public office"? According to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the offence is defined as "serious wilful abuse or neglect of the power or responsibilities of the public office held".
It happens when a public office holder wilfully neglects to perform his or her duty or wilfully misconducts him or herself, to such a degree as to amount to an abuse of the public's trust in that office.
Authorities will have to find clear evidence that Andrew was in a public office role, and that he knowingly abused or exploited his position.
The CPS will then need to make a decision about charging him.
Andrew's emails to Epstein
The so-called 'Epstein files' released by the US Department of Justice appeared to show Andrew sharing reports of official visits to China, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore in October 2010. The reports were written by his then special assistant Amit Patel and within five minutes of Andrew receiving them from Mr Patel, Andrew forwarded them on to Epstein.
In his disastrous 2019 Newsnight interview, Andrew claimed he had cut off contact with Epstein in early December 2010. However, emails from Christmas Eve of that year show Andrew appeared to send Epstein a confidential brief on investment opportunities in the reconstruction of Helmand Province, Afghanistan. The reconstruction was being funded by the UK government.
How long can Andrew be held for by the police?
According to the BBC, Danny Shaw, a policing commentator, said the longest Andrew could be held for is 96 hours. In most cases, suspects are held for 12 or 24 hours.
The King's statement
© Getty ImagesHELLO! understands the royal family were not given advance warning of Andrew's arrest.
On Thursday at 12pm, shortly after the news broke, the King shared a statement signed "Charles R":
"I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office.
"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.
"Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.
"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."
This was the second statement the King had released in as much as a week. Last week, a palace spokesperson said the monarch would "stand ready to support" a police investigation into allegations against Andrew.
The first statement read: "The King has made clear, in words and through unprecedented actions, his profound concern at allegations which continue to come to light in respect of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor's conduct. While the specific claims in question are for Mr Mountbatten-Windsor to address, if we are approached by Thames Valley Police we stand ready to support them as you would expect.
"As was previously stated, Their Majesties' thoughts and sympathies have been, and remain with, the victims of any and all forms of abuse."
HELLO!'s Royal Editor reacts
Is Andrew still in the line of succession?
Andrew was stripped of all of his royal titles, styles and honours in a decision by the King in October. While he is no longer a Prince or the Duke of York, and has lost his HRH style, leaving him with the status of a commoner, Andrew remains eighth in line to the throne.
The former Prince's daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, are unaffected by the changes to their father's royal status. Beatrice and Eugenie remain ninth and 12th respectively in line to the throne, and retain their HRH styles.
Meanwhile, their mother, Sarah Ferguson, no longer uses her courtesy title of Duchess of York.
Where is Sarah Ferguson now?
The whereabouts of Andrew's ex-wife are unknown, although previous reports claimed Sarah has been lying low in the United Arab Emirates. Before her trip to the Middle East, Sarah was said to have spent a few days with friends in the French Alps ahead of seeking out some winter sun.
Andrew's release from police custody
Just after 7:30pm, Andrew was pictured leaving Aylsham police station in Norfolk, signalling that he is no longer in police custody.
Thames Valley Police released an official statement that said: “Thames Valley Police is able to provide an update in relation to an investigation into the offence of misconduct in public office.
“On Thursday we arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The arrested man has now been released under investigation.We can also confirm that our searches in Norfolk have now concluded.”
The force said its searches in Berkshire are still under way, and that it would make no further statement at this time.
