Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, according to a statement issued by Thames Valley Police on Wednesday.
The arrest, which reportedly took place on his 66th birthday, follows what authorities described as a “thorough assessment” of a complaint linked to the alleged sharing of confidential material with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
In a statement, Thames Valley Police confirmed that officers arrested “a man in his sixties from Norfolk” and are conducting searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk as part of an ongoing investigation.
“The man remains in police custody at this time,” the statement read. “We will not be naming the arrested man, as per national guidance.
Please also remember that this case is now active so care should be taken with any publication to avoid being in contempt of court.”
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Images circulating earlier in the day showed vehicles arriving at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk as investigative activity commenced.
Authorities have not released further details regarding the specific allegations or the nature of the confidential material referenced in the complaint.
The development marks a significant moment in what could become a high-profile legal process, given Mountbatten-Windsor’s former royal status and past public scrutiny surrounding his associations.
Legal experts note that an arrest on suspicion does not constitute a charge, and the individual remains entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until proven guilty in court.
Police have indicated that the investigation remains active and ongoing.