Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested over his ties to convicted rapist and pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
The former prince was arrested Thursday — which is also his 66th birthday — on suspicion of misconduct in public office for allegedly forwarding confidential trade documents to Epstein.
If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of life in prison.
On Thursday morning, at least six unmarked police cars and around eight officers surrounded Andrew’s new residence, Sandringham Estate, in eastern England.
One officer could be seen carrying a police-issued laptop after arriving at around 8 a.m. local time.
After 30 minutes, two of the unmarked cop cars left the property. A vehicle thought to contain Andrew’s security team also followed.
Thames Valley police — the force that patrols the area around his former home, Royal Lodge — also carried out a search at a Berkshire property.
Without identifying him, the Thames Valley Police issued a statement explaining that they have “arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office and are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk.”
Per authorities, he remains in police custody as of the time of publication.
“Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office,” assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said in a statement following Andrew’s arrest.
“It is important that we protect the integrity and objectivity of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged offence. We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time.”
His arrest comes just one month after anti-monarchy campaigner Graham Smith reported Andrew to the Thames Valley Police over alleged misconduct in public office.
The disgraced royal, who served as the UK’s Special Representative for International Trade and Investment between 2001 and 2011, allegedly sent Epstein reports about trips to Vietnam and Singapore in 2010, per the newly released Epstein files.
Trade envoys must keep details about their trips confidential — even when they are no longer in the role under the Official Secrets Act.
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