Beyond the Dome: Prince Andrew arrested for suspected misconduct in public office

By Katie Dusza, News Editor 

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, King Charles III’s brother, was arrested Thursday, Feb. 19 on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, was taken into custody by the Thames Valley Police after reviewing allegations of him having a sexual encounter with a woman trafficked to the United Kingdom by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, while holding the position of the U.K.’s trade envoy. 

In October, Mountbatten-Windsor was stripped of his title as Prince following the release of Epstein files from the US Department of Justice (DOJ) by his brother King Charles III. King Charles also began the process of evicting Mountbatten-Windsor from his royal estate at Windsor. He denied all allegations against him and claimed that he had never been a part of or witnessed any of the behavior that Epstein was accused of. 

The week before the arrest, a spokesperson for Buckingham Palace said King Charles had “made clear, in words and through unprecedented actions, his profound concern at allegations, which continue to come to light in respect of Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor’s conduct.” The spokesperson also stated that Buckingham Palace would “stand ready to support” Thames Valley Police if approached about the claims made against Andrew.

Late Thursday, hours after his arrest, Mountbatten-Windsor was released from custody and placed “under investigation” after his home was searched by law enforcement.

 Mountbatten-Windsor served as trade envoy for a decade beginning in 2001. He stepped down in 2011 after facing backlash for his association with Epstein. Documents released by the DOJ showed that Mountbatten-Windsor was in contact with Epstein during his time as trade envoy, which led to the arrest of Mountbatten-Windsor for violating the obligations he had as a government official. The U.K. government guidelines say that the role “carries with it a duty of confidentiality in relation to information received,” which may include “sensitive, commercial, or political information shared about relevant markets/visits.”

Mountbatten-Windsor is the first senior British royal in 400 years to be arrested since King Charles I in the mid 17th-century. People have commented on the arrest being shocking especially in a time when rich people seem invincible. CNN interviewed royal watcher and broadcaster Bidisha Mamata, who reflected on the arrest. “It’s a warning,” Mamata said, “It has always traditionally been the case that there are certain people in society who act with impunity and entitlement and think that whatever is done amongst friends, cronies, cohorts, is going to be absolutely fine.”

Additionally, Spencer T. Kuvin, an attorney for Jeffrey Epstein’s victims, said Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest may “restore some faith for those who believed justice was unreachable.”