Crisis day that rocked the royals – from Andrew’s arrest to King Charles’s statement | Royal | News
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested at around 8am on Thursday. (Image: Getty)
The King expressed his “deepest concern” and said “the law must take its course” after learning of the arrest of his brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on Thursday morning. In a statement issued less than two hours after Thames Valley Police confirmed the disgraced former prince had been arrested on suspicion of abusing public office, the 77-year-old monarch said he had the force’s “full and wholehearted support and co-operation”.
Andrew was detained on his 66th birthday on Thursday, following allegations against the former prince following the publication of millions of pages of files on pedophilia financier Jeffrey Epstein. The former Duke of York, who has vehemently denied any wrongdoing over his Epstein connections, became the first senior royal to be arrested in modern history.
Responding to the arrest, the King said: “I have learned with deep concern of the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and the suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Read more: King Charles issues statement following arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
Read more: Queen questions Andrew’s arrest as first senior royal to appear publicly
King Charles attended a show at London Fashion Week this afternoon (Image: Getty Images)
“From now on, there will be a full, fair and proper process in which this matter will be 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 state clearly: The law must take its own course.”
He added: “My family and I will continue our duty and service to all of you.”
Today the King was front and center at London Fashion Week, leading three separate in-person audiences at St James’s Palace. Meanwhile, the Queen attended a lunchtime concert in Westminster.
It is understood that neither the King nor Buckingham Palace was informed before the arrest. It appears that the Prince and Princess of Wales, who spent the semester break with their three children, also support the King’s statement.
A policeman stands at the entrance to Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk (Image: AFP via Getty)
Thames Valley Police previously said police were investigating allegations that a woman was trafficked to the UK by Jeffrey Epstein to have sex with Andrew and claimed she shared sensitive information with the pedophile while serving as the UK’s trade envoy.
It is understood Andrew was arrested at Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate at around 8am on Thursday.
In the early hours of yesterday morning, six unmarked police vehicles appeared to arrive at the property where Andrew was temporarily living following his exile from Royal Lodge in Windsor. Approximately eight plainclothes officers attended the property and one officer was seen carrying a police laptop.
One of the cars drove down the front road while the other five pulled into the back entrance of the five-bedroom farmhouse in the village of Wolferton. This property, as well as his former home in Windsor Great Park, continues to be searched by police.
Andrew moved to secluded Wood Farm, beloved by the late Prince Philip, who spent much of his retirement there, at the beginning of the month. Once the renovations are complete, it will eventually be moved to Marsh Farm.
The police arrived at Wood Farm early this morning. (Image: Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)
Emails released by the US Department of Justice show the former Duke sharing reports about official visits to Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore.
Thames Valley Police said a man in his 60s from Norfolk in east England was arrested and remains in custody. The force, which covers areas of west London including Andrew’s former home, did not identify the suspect in line with legal procedures but noted Andrew’s statement when asked to confirm whether he had been arrested.
Deputy Chief Constable Oliver Wright said: “Following a thorough assessment, we have launched an investigation into alleged misconduct in public office. It is important that we maintain the integrity and objectivity of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged offending. We understand the significant public interests in this case and will provide updates at the appropriate time.”
Police are also searching Andrew’s former home, Royal Lodge. (Image: PA)
The king’s brother is no longer actually a royal and has become a commoner after being stripped of both his right to be a prince and his right to be a duke by the monarch over his relationship with Epstein in October last year. However, he is in the line of succession and is currently eighth in line to the throne.
According to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) website, misconduct in public office carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. A suspect can generally be detained for up to 24 hours, but this period can be extended to 96 hours if an extension is requested in the magistrates’ court. When the detention period ends, most suspects are either charged or released pending further investigation.
A number of police forces across the UK are considering information released as part of the transcript of the Epstein files.
Officers from Surrey, Bedfordshire, Essex, Norfolk, West Midlands, Wiltshire and Scotland all said they were reviewing the information.
The National Crime Agency said on Wednesday it was supporting UK forces in their investigations into the Epstein files.
