King Charles is breaking his silence on his brother’s arrest.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, was arrested Thursday morning on suspicion of misconduct in public office. According to the BBC, vehicles believed to be unmarked police cars arrived at Sandringham Estate in Norfolk early Thursday, his 66th birthday, where the disgraced royal has been living since being ordered to leave his Windsor home following further revelations about his relationship with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He remains in custody as searches are carried out in Berkshire and Norfolk.
The arrest follows Thames Valley Police’s investigation into a complaint alleging the former prince shared confidential material with Epstein. It marks the first time a modern British royal has been arrested.
In a statement, King Charles addressed the news head-on:
“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.”
Mountbatten-Windsor was stripped of his royal title in October over his Epstein ties and was mentioned and pictured multiple times in the over 3 million pages of documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice earlier this month. He maintained a longtime friendship with Epstein and stayed in contact even after Epstein’s 2008 conviction of procuring a child for prostitution.
He’s previously apologized and denied wrongdoing, but recent documents included a photo appearing to show him with Virginia Giuffre, who alleged she was forced to have sex with him as a teenager. He’d insisted the photo was doctored. In 2022, he reached a settlement with Giuffre that included no apology or admission of liability. Giuffre died by suicide in April 2025.
Earlier this month, Prince William and Kate Middleton released a statement confirming they’d been “deeply concerned by the continuing revelations,” adding, “Their thoughts remain focused on the victims.”