Arrested Andrew is pictured being released from police custody: Former Prince is driven from station after becoming the first modern royal to be arrested in modern times

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been released from police custody on Thursday following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

Andrew, who turns 66 today, was detained by police officers during an 8am raid on his new home at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate.

Thames Valley Police confirmed the former prince was arrested just after 10am on Thursday morning and once he arrived at the police station officers could detain him for 24 hours without charge.

Thames Valley Police said in a statement that a ‘man in his sixties’ had been released under investigation.

Andrew was photographed in the back of a car as he left Aylsham police station in Norfolk shortly after 7pm.

The former Duke of York is understood to have been arrested in connection with allegations that he passed sensitive information to convicted pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein while serving as the British government’s trade envoy.

Andrew’s brother, King Henry III. Charles was given no advance warning of the arrest; This was revealed today, but the Daily Mail has revealed that Home Affairs Minister Shabana Mahmood’s team was briefed by a senior civil servant earlier this morning.

The monarch said ‘the law must take its course’ in an unprecedented statement after voicing his ‘deepest concern’ following the arrest of his younger brother on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

Charles said: ‘I have learned with deep concern of the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and the suspicion of misconduct in public office.

‘What will now come is a full, fair and appropriate process to ensure that this matter is investigated appropriately and by the relevant authorities. As I said before, we have our full and wholehearted support and cooperation on this matter.

‘Let me be clear: The law must take its own course.

‘It would not be appropriate for me to comment further on this matter while this process is ongoing. In the meantime, my family and I will continue our duty and service to all of you.’

The former Duke of York was detained for more than ten hours after being arrested on suspicion of abusing public office

A group of plainclothes police officers arrived at Wood Farm this morning and searches began.

The Prince and Princess of Wales are also said to support the statement.

The Daily Mail was first to report that plainclothes police arrived at Wood Farm, where Andrew now lives, at around 8am this morning in six unmarked vehicles.

Onlookers said the group of eight people were in civilian clothes but looked like police officers. A man was seen carrying a police laptop.

A convoy, including at least two royal Land Rovers bound for Andrew, was photographed leaving the estate less than an hour later. His arrest was confirmed at 10.08am.

A fine arts transport company van and several police vehicles were also seen at Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s former Berkshire residence, located a few miles south of Windsor Castle.

At around 4pm, a dark blue Gander and White van was seen leaving the gates of Windsor Great Park, which surrounds the Royal Lodge estate.

Gander and White describes itself as ‘one of the world’s leading fine art logistics companies, providing art storage, transportation, installation and customs services’.

Two large police vans with tinted windows, each carrying several uniformed officers, were also seen leaving the property.

A Thames Valley spokesman said: ‘Today we arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of abuse of public office.’

Unmarked Police vehicles emerge from the gates of Royal Lodge this afternoon after searching two properties linked to Andrew

Aerial photographs show the scene at the Royal Lodge on the Windsor estate following Andrew’s arrest today.

Unprecedented statement from the King following his brother’s arrest, in which he supports police action and says he and the Royal Family will fully co-operate

The agency said its officers searched an address in Norfolk (believed to be Wood Farm, where Andrew was exiled) and an address in Berkshire (possibly the Royal Lodge in Windsor, where Andrew lived for more than 20 years until this month).

Norfolk Police said it was ‘supporting’ the Thames Valley investigation but did not initially say whether any of the stations were used by detectives to interview Andrew.

Thames Valley Deputy Chief Constable Oliver Wright said: ‘Following a thorough assessment, we have launched an investigation into allegations of misconduct in public office.

‘It is important that we maintain the integrity and impartiality of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged crime.

‘We recognize the significant public interest in this case and will provide updates at the appropriate time.’

Detectives have been probing Andrew’s behavior as a UK trade envoy for the past ten days after emails featured in the Epstein Files suggested he shared confidential information, including official visits and potential investment opportunities, with his pedophile friend.

Emails released by the US Department of Justice show the former Duke sharing reports about official visits to Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore.

An email dated November 2010 was revealed to have been forwarded by Andrew five minutes after it was sent by his then special counsel Amir Patel.

Another, on Christmas Eve 2010, appeared to have sent a secret briefing to Epstein about investment opportunities in the reconstruction of Afghanistan’s Helmand Province.

Experts said Andrew would not receive special treatment while in custody and would be subject to the usual police formalities, including being fingerprinted, photographed and kept in a standard holding cell.

While the disgraced Andrew languishes in a cell and is being questioned by detectives today, the royal family continued with business as usual.

The King arrived at London Fashion Week in the Strand area of ​​central London, hours after issuing a statement expressing his “deep concern” over his brother’s arrest.

Questions about the detention were raised loudly when the monarch entered the building. He didn’t answer.

Inside, Charles was greeted with applause at Tolu Çoker’s London Fashion Week show.

She chatted animatedly with British Fashion Council Chief Laura Weir and designer Stella McCartney in the front row as she watched the British-Nigerian designer’s collection.

Queen Camilla was also at an engagement party in the capital this morning and was also asked about her brother-in-law. He didn’t answer either.

This is breaking news and is being updated.