Following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, spent around 11 hours in custody on Thursday before being released under investigation.
Pictures have emerged online of unmarked police cars at Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, with plainclothes police officers appearing to congregate outside Andrew’s home on the day of his 66th birthday.
Earlier this month, Andrew was asked to move out of the Royal Lodge. Searches were conducted by officers at both the Windsor Estate and Wood Farm, which is located on the King’s private Sandringham estate in Norfolk, where Andrew has been staying.
The Thames Valley Police has confirmed that the searches in Norfolk have finished, while the ones at the Royal Lodge in the Windsor Estate are expected to continue.
Misconduct in public office is considered one of the most serious offenses in the UK. If found guilty, Andrew could face life sentence, though any trial would need to be held at a Crown Court because of the gravity of the charges against him.
As reported by the Mail, emails released by the US Department of Justice seem to suggest that the former duke was circulating summaries of official visits to Honk Kong, Vietnam, and Singapore while serving as a UK trade envoy from 2001 to 2011. In one email, dated November 2010, it appears that the information was forwarded by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor just five minutes after it was sent to him by his then special adviser, Amir Patel. In another email sent on Christmas Eve 2010, it appears that a confidential briefing was shared with Epstein detailing investment opportunities related to the reconstruction of Helmand Province.
Andrew has denied any wrongdoing in connection to the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Reports regarding the arrest suggest that former Prince Andrew caused a scene when asked to leave the mansion on the Windsor Estate.
During the tense eviction and arrest, insiders reported a moment that quickly gained attention in the media.
“He refused to leave or take any responsibility,” an insider told the Sun on Sunday.
“When officials told him to leave, he was so arrogant and out of touch that he kept shouting, ‘But I’m the Queen’s second son, you can’t do this to me.’”
“It is extraordinary he chose to use the Queen’s name in his defence. No one is quite sure if the reality of his dire situation has hit home even yet,” the source added.
According to another source, the conversation was heated, with Andrew stating that he “did not want to leave.”
After Andrew’s arrest, the King released an unprecedented statement: “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.”
The Defence Secretary, Luke Pollard, told the BBC that the government had been working in conjunction with Buckingham Palace to make sure that the ex-prince would not be “potentially a heartbeat away from the throne.”
He added that the plan is “something I hope will enjoy cross-party support,” but stressed it could only be implemented “once the police investigation concludes.”
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