Police returned to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's former residence on Friday to continue searching the property, one day after he was arrested and detained for nearly 11 hours on suspicion of misconduct in public office tied to his relationship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew before his brother King Charles III stripped him of his titles in October, was released Thursday evening and remains under investigation by Thames Valley Police, meaning he has neither been charged nor cleared of wrongdoing.

The arrest has sparked intense debate about accountability within the British royal family and whether institutions of privilege can shield individuals from the consequences of the law. Legal experts have noted that the charge under investigation — misconduct in public office — is notoriously difficult to prove, raising questions about whether prosecutors will ultimately move forward with formal charges.

Arrested on His 66th Birthday at His New Home

Officers entered the grounds of Mountbatten-Windsor's residence at 8 a.m. Thursday, which was notably his 66th birthday. He was transported to Aylsham police station for questioning and held for close to 11 hours, Breitbart reports. It is not known what he told investigators; he may have remained silent or responded with "no comment" throughout the interview.

He was photographed slouched in the back of a chauffeur-driven vehicle after being released Thursday evening from the station near Sandringham. Mountbatten-Windsor then returned to Wood Farm, his current residence on the Sandringham estate, which is King Charles III's private retreat located approximately 115 miles north of London. He is living there temporarily while a nearby property called Marsh Farm is being prepared for him.

His arrest came after he was evicted earlier this month from Royal Lodge, a 30-room residence near Windsor Castle west of London, where he had lived for decades. On Friday morning, unmarked vans believed to be police vehicles were seen entering the grounds at Royal Lodge, where the search continued. Police had already concluded their search at Wood Farm by that time.

Emails Allegedly Showed Confidential Trade Secrets Shared With Epstein

The central accusation against Mountbatten-Windsor is that he shared confidential trade information with Epstein while serving as a U.K. trade envoy. Emails released last month by the U.S. Department of Justice appeared to show him forwarding reports of official government visits to Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Singapore. One email, dated November 2010, appeared to have been forwarded by him just five minutes after he received it.

Another email from a few weeks later appeared to show him sending Epstein a confidential briefing on investment opportunities related to the reconstruction of Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Epstein, a convicted sex offender, died by suicide in a New York jail in 2019. Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied any wrongdoing in his association with Epstein but has not commented on the most recent allegations arising from the released documents.

Sean Caulfield, a criminal defense lawyer at Hodge Jones & Allen, noted the legal complexity of the situation. "Firstly, it must be determined if Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was in a role within government that constitutes the title of public officer," he said. "There is no standard definition to clearly draw on."

Legal Experts Weigh in on What Comes Next

Andrew Gilmore, a partner at Grosvenor Law, explained the standard that must be met before formal charges can proceed. "That test is to determine whether there is a more realistic prospect of a conviction than not based on the evidence and whether the matter is in the public interest," he said.

"If these two tests are met, then the matter will be charged and proceed to court," Gilmore added. The Crown Prosecution Service will ultimately decide whether to bring charges against Mountbatten-Windsor, who remains eighth in line to the throne despite having been stripped of his royal titles and honors.

Thames Valley Police had previously said it was also reviewing allegations that a woman was trafficked to the U.K. by Epstein to have a sexual encounter with Mountbatten-Windsor, but Thursday's arrest was unrelated to that matter. Those allegations were made by Virginia Giuffre, who claimed she was trafficked to Britain in 2001, when she was 17 years old. Giuffre died by suicide last year.

Metropolitan Police Launch Broader Trafficking Assessment

On Friday, London's Metropolitan Police said it was assessing — with assistance from U.S. counterparts — whether London airports, including Heathrow, may have been used to facilitate human trafficking and sexual exploitation connected to Epstein. The Metropolitan Police also said it was asking past and present officers who had protected Mountbatten-Windsor to consider whether they witnessed or heard anything relevant. However, the force confirmed that no new criminal allegations regarding sexual offenses have been made within its jurisdiction as of now.

Other police forces across the country are also conducting investigations into Epstein's connections to the U.K., including examining flight logs at various airports. These efforts are being coordinated through a national group. Amanda Roberts, Virginia Giuffre's sister-in-law, said she was overjoyed after receiving a phone call at 3 a.m. informing her of the arrest, but her feelings quickly became complicated. "We can't tell her how much we love her, and that everything that she was doing is not in vain," Roberts said, referencing her inability to share the moment with Giuffre.

King Charles III issued a brief statement Thursday saying the "law must take its course." He added that "this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter." The royal family is expected to continue carrying out its duties as normal, though investigations are anticipated to take considerable time.

A Historical Crisis for the British Monarchy

The arrest marked the first time a member of the royal family had been placed under arrest since King Charles I nearly four centuries ago, a historical period that led to civil war, Charles's beheading, and the temporary abolition of the monarchy. It has been described as one of the gravest crises for the House of Windsor since its establishment more than 100 years ago, drawing comparisons to the abdication of King Edward VIII in 1936 and the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1997.

Lessons to Learn

1. Powerful connections do not guarantee protection from the law. Mountbatten-Windsor's proximity to the crown and decades of privilege did not prevent his arrest, demonstrating that law enforcement can and does pursue allegations regardless of an individual's status. The public should be encouraged by this accountability.

2. Information sharing, even in seemingly private contexts, can carry serious legal consequences. The allegations center on the forwarding of confidential government documents to an outside individual. This serves as a reminder that the mishandling of sensitive information — whether in government or private industry — can result in criminal investigation.

3. Victims and survivors should know their voices matter, even when justice is delayed. Giuffre's years of advocacy brought public attention to Epstein's network, and the ongoing investigations stem in part from her courage. It is important to remember that crime can happen to anyone, and we should never blame victims for the actions of those who harmed them.

Why This Story Matters

This case represents a pivotal moment in the principle that no one is above the law, regardless of birthright or social standing. The investigation into Mountbatten-Windsor's alleged sharing of state secrets with a convicted sex offender raises profound questions about oversight, transparency, and the responsibilities of those entrusted with public roles. For communities around the world, this story underscores the importance of holding powerful individuals accountable and ensuring that victims' pursuit of justice is not in vain.

In summary, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor — once known as Prince Andrew — was arrested on his 66th birthday on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office related to allegations that he shared confidential government trade information with Jeffrey Epstein while serving as a U.K. trade envoy. He was detained for nearly 11 hours before being released and remains under investigation by Thames Valley Police, with the Crown Prosecution Service set to decide whether formal charges will follow.

Police continued searching his former 30-room home at Royal Lodge on Friday, while the Metropolitan Police launched a separate assessment of whether London airports were used to facilitate trafficking tied to Epstein. King Charles III said the law must take its course, and legal experts have cautioned that the misconduct charge is difficult to prove, meaning the case could take significant time to resolve.