The British monarchy has been plunged into its most severe modern crisis following the arrest and subsequent release of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the younger brother of King Charles III. In a dramatic escalation, Metropolitan Police officers spent Friday conducting a forensic search of his residence, Royal Lodge, after the Duke was questioned over explosive allegations of state-level misconduct.
The 66-year-old, arrested on his birthday, Thursday, is being investigated for misconduct in public office. The probe centers on claims that he funneled confidential government documents to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during his tenure as a UK trade envoy.
While the Duke has long been haunted by his personal association with Epstein, this criminal investigation shifts the focus from social misconduct to national security and official corruption.
Prosecutors are examining whether Mountbatten-Windsor used his position as Special Representative for International Trade and Investment to provide Epstein with sensitive government economic briefings and trade secrets.
In a move described by royal observers as “unprecedented and humiliating,” the Duke was taken into custody on his 66th birthday and held for several hours for formal questioning.
On Friday, teams of officers were seen entering his Windsor mansion. Sources suggest police are looking for electronic devices and physical correspondence that may link the Duke’s official state duties to Epstein’s private business interests.
Following his release on Friday morning, a photograph of a somber Mountbatten-Windsor emerging from a police station was splashed across global headlines.
He has been “released under investigation” (RUI), meaning the police do not yet have enough evidence to charge him, but the criminal probe remains active and ongoing.
Misconduct in public office is a common-law offense that carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. It targets public officials who willfully neglect their duty to such a degree that it amounts to an abuse of the public’s trust.
The Palace has maintained a “stony silence,” reiterating that the Duke is a private citizen and that the matter is strictly for the Metropolitan Police.
CASE SNAPSHOT: The Trade Envoy Years (2001–2011)
| Aspect | Details |
| Official Role | UK Special Representative for International Trade. |
| The Allegation | Sending “Confidential” briefings to Jeffrey Epstein. |
| The Target | Misconduct in Public Office (Criminal). |
| Current Status | Released under investigation; Mansion searched. |
| Potential Penalty | Up to life imprisonment if convicted. |
