UPDATE – 14:24
King Charles has broken his silence following the shock arrest of his younger brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, declaring that the Royal Family will offer wholehearted co-operation with police as the scandal deepens.
In a carefully worded statement released today, the 77-year-old monarch expressed his “deepest concern” over the news that Andrew is under arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor attends the funeral of Katharine, Duchess of Kent at Westminster Cathedral on 16 September 2025 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
“I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office,” the King said. “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.”
He added, “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.”
The King concluded with a nod to his royal responsibilities, writing, “Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.”
It is understood that the Palace was not informed of the arrest ahead of Thames Valley Police’s public statement — a move that has sent shockwaves through royal circles.
King Charles III visits Barking Learning Centre Community and Family Hub to meet a range of organisations providing support to their local community on 18 February 2026 in Barking, England. | Source: Getty Images
Raid Details Emerge as King Faces the Public
The monarch is still expected to appear later today at the opening of London Fashion Week, while his brother remains in police custody, being interrogated over serious allegations.
In a fresh development since this morning’s dramatic arrest, two police officers in blue suits were seen outside Wood Farm, Andrew’s residence on the Sandringham Estate.
One was carrying a folder of unknown contents, sparking fresh speculation about the materials seized during the raid.
A man steps out of umarked car at the home of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on 19 February 2026 in Sandringham, Norfolk. | Source: Getty Images
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UPDATE – 13:28
As the nation reels from Andrew’s bombshell arrest, a top policing commentator has now revealed what the next 96 hours could look like for the embattled former royal.
Danny Shaw, a respected analyst on law enforcement, has confirmed that Andrew could legally be detained for up to 96 hours — but only under strict conditions. That maximum holding period would require multiple extensions granted by both senior police officers and a Magistrate’s Court.
According to Shaw, most suspects are held for just 12 or 24 hours before being charged or released pending further investigation.
But for now, the Queen’s second son is being treated like any other suspect. Shaw confirmed that Andrew will be placed in “a cell in a custody suite” with nothing but “a bed and a toilet” as he waits for his official police interview.
“There’ll be no special treatment for him,” Shaw emphasized. At this time, officials have not disclosed the exact time of his arrest or his current location — only intensifying the mystery surrounding the unfolding case.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor reacts as he arrives at St. George’s Chapel to attend the Easter Mattins Service on 31 March 2024. | Source: Getty Images
Just after 8 a.m. on Thursday, six unmarked police cars descended on King Charles’ private residence, where Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been lying low following his removal from Royal Lodge in Windsor. It was there, at Wood Farm — the secluded five-bedroom farmhouse once favoured by Prince Philip — that officers reportedly zeroed in.
Prince Andrew, Duke of York attends Katharine, Duchess of Kent’s Requiem Mass service at Westminster Cathedral on 16 September 2025 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
Quiet Convoy Sparks Loud Questions
Eyewitnesses were stunned to see a coordinated arrival: five vehicles entered through the back gate of the Wolferton property, while one approached via the front drive. All carried plainclothes individuals who “appeared to be police officers”, according to onlookers.
One man was seen carrying what looked like a police-issue laptop, while a separate unmarked car was later spotted departing the estate. A total of three vehicles left the scene — one of which is believed to have carried Andrew’s personal security.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor leaves the headquarters of Crossrail at Canary Wharf on 7 March 2011 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
The photographed convoy of vehicles leaving shortly after only added to the air of mounting tension and secrecy.
This dramatic development unfolded just as Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer declared “nobody is above the law” — a phrase that now rings with particular resonance as pressure intensifies over UK ties to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor attends Sunday service at the Royal Chapel of All Saints, at Royal Lodge, in Windsor on 11 April 2021, two days after the death of his father Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. | Source: Getty Images
A Birthday Under Scrutiny
Andrew, who has long denied any wrongdoing in relation to the disgraced financier, is now under renewed scrutiny.
Though he has not been formally questioned about the growing pile of allegations — which include possible misconduct in public office and alleged involvement in sex trafficking networks — his role as a former UK trade envoy and his relationship with Epstein have resurfaced in damning detail.
Melania Trump, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Gwendolyn Beck, and Jeffrey Epstein at a party at the Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, on February 12, 2000. | Source: Getty Images
One especially disturbing claim suggests Andrew may have passed sensitive information to Epstein during his tenure, while another alleges he smuggled a woman into Buckingham Palace, who may have been trafficked on Epstein’s now-infamous “Lolita Express” jet.
Royal insiders have remained tight-lipped, but King Charles has signalled a willingness to cooperate fully with police investigations, should they extend to his brother.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and King Charles attend a Service of Thanksgiving to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee at St Paul’s Cathedral on 5 June 2012 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
Public Backlash Reaches Boiling Point
As the news broke, the internet exploded with outrage, disbelief — and dark anticipation.
“Ridiculous amount of police there. How did the press know to be there?” one person questioned. “Why six cars? Did they expect him to do a runner and jump the fence?” another scoffed.
Others saw it as the beginning of the end. “Nowhere to hide,” one netizen declared. “Judgement day seems to be getting closer,” another ominously warned.
Still others pointed to the optics. “He’s so far up himself I bet he still doesn’t get the amount of trouble he could be in,” one person added, highlighting the growing gulf between public sympathy and royal silence.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor attends the traditional Easter Sunday Mattins Service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle on 20 April 2025 in Windsor, England. | Source: Getty Images
Arrest Confirmed: Ex-Prince Andrew in Custody
And then, the bombshell dropped.
Just hours after the Sandringham sightings, reports emerged that a man in his 60s had been arrested “on suspicion of misconduct in public office.” While police declined to name the individual — in accordance with national guidance — details of the operation and the location leave little doubt as to the person in question.
A Thames Valley Police spokesperson confirmed the arrest in a statement to LBC, “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.”
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor leaves the funeral service of Patricia Knatchbull, Countess Mountbatten of Burma, at St Paul’s Church in Knightsbridge on 27 June 2017 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
Police Forces Unite Across UK
Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright added, “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.”
This comes as nine police forces across the UK have confirmed they are now actively “assessing information” from the Epstein Files — specifically material relating to human trafficking and the movement of individuals through London Luton and Stansted airports.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) also confirmed it is working with police in what appears to be a sweeping, multi-agency response to “enable a full and independent assessment of the information released.”
A Royal Reckoning?
The former Duke of York — once seen as a pillar of post-war British royalty — has spent the last several years fighting to clear his name following allegations tied to Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. But today’s developments suggest the cloud over Sandringham is only darkening.
As the royal family remains publicly silent and police forces intensify their probes, the question hanging over the nation now is clear: Could this be the moment Britain’s most controversial royal is finally held to account?
