Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest on Thursday was the latest development in the former prince’s fall from grace.
Andrew, who has faced numerous allegations over his links to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, was detained following an assessment by Thames Valley Police of a complaint relating to Andrew’s alleged sharing of sensitive information.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on Thursday morning (Jordan Pettitt/PA) (PA Wire)
His current address at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate has been searched, and police are continuing to search the Royal Lodge in Windsor, where the former prince lived up until recently.
Police are seen inside the gates of the Royal Lodge, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s former residence in Windsor Great Park. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
Andrew, who turned 66 on the day of his arrest, has consistently and strongly denied any wrongdoing.
But what happens next for Andrew, and the Royal family as a whole? What were the terms of his release, and what exactly are the police investigating? And how have the royals been impacted by the latest scandal?
What was Andrew arrested for?
Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, which would appear to be related to his conduct while serving as a UK trade envoy.
Andrew served as a UK trade envoy between 2001 and 2011, and documents released by the US Department of Justice appear to show the former prince forwarding sensitive government documents and commercial information to Jeffrey Epstein during this period.
Surrey Police urged people with information to come forward after allegations were made as part of the so-called Epstein files (US Department of Justice/PA) (PA Media)
A number of emails from 2010 show Andrew appearing to have forwarded Epstein government reports from visits to Vietnam, Singapore and China.
On November 30 2010, Andrew appeared to forward official reports of these visits to Epstein, just five minutes after receiving them from his then special assistant, Amit Patel.
Documents also appear to show Andrew forwarding Epstein information related to investment opportunities in gold and uranium in Afghanistan.
Trade envoys have a duty of confidentiality over sensitive, commercial or political information about their official visits, according to official guidance.
Andrew has denied any wrongdoing in his associations with Epstein, and his being named in the Epstein files is not an indication of misconduct.
What will happen now Andrew is under investigation?
After arrest, a case is considered “active” under the Contempt of Court Act, a law meant to ensure that public statements or articles do not prejudice future legal proceedings.
Thames Valley Police issued a statement after Andrew was seen leaving Aylsham Police Station on Thursday evening, reading: “On Thursday we arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
The scene at the Royal Lodge, Andrew’s former residence, at Windsor Great Park, a day after his arrest. (AFP via Getty Images)
“The arrested man has now been released under investigation. We can also confirm that our searches in Norfolk have now concluded.”
Being released under investigation is different to being released on bail, when conditions could be set with no date to report back to the police station.
While under investigation, Andrew can go about his daily life, with no end date to his release.
However, he is still being investigated, with searches continuing at Royal Lodge, and he could be called again for more questioning.
Andrew’s arrest gave police the power to search his homes, and allowed formal questions to be put to him at interview.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) will now need to make a decision about charging him.
Who else could investigate?
Thames Valley Police are the force which arrested Andrew on Thursday, but multiple other police forces across the UK are also assessing whether investigations into the King’s brother are needed.
Separate probes could possibly be launched in the coming days or weeks.
The Met Police have already launched a criminal investigation into Peter Mandelson over his links to Epstein, and it is believed they could also be assessing claims against Andrew over past members of his security team.
There have reportedly been initial inquiries into close protection officers that worked for Andrew and could have accompanied him to Epstein’s private island.
Surrey Police is also believed to be looking into the Epstein files and how they may implicate people in the UK. They are seeking information on an allegation of human trafficking and sexual assault dating back to the mid-1990s.
Norfolk Constabulary and Wiltshire Police are understood to be reviewing the Epstein files, but have not yet received specific allegations.
A number of forces are assessing Epstein’s private jet and his use of airports – Essex Police is assessing information and examining flight logs and emails related to Stansted Airport, Bedfordshire Police is assessing his use of London Luton Airport, and West Midlands Police is assessing his use of Birmingham Airport, while Police Scotland want to “speak to anyone with information” about Epstein’s private jet using Edinburgh Airport.
How does this impact the Royal Family now?
Undoubtedly, Andrew’s fall from grace has had a huge impact on the Royal Family.
Their favourability among the public has fallen drastically, with an Ipsos poll of 1,086 adults from February 13 to 16 finding the Prince of Wales’ favourability rating falling eight points to 63% since a similar survey in November.
Family reunion: Celebrating the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe, the Royal family gathered on the balcony to marvel in the flypast from the Red Arrows (Aaron Chown/PA) (PA Wire)
Other major royals’ favourability have also fallen over the same period, with Kate dropping seven points to 62%, Anne down nine points at 53%, and King Charles’s rating falling five points to 48%.
In fact, every single senior member of the Royal Family saw their favourability ratings fall, following a period full of scandal.
The poll also reported that only 28% of people believe the Royal Family has handled the Andrew situation well, while less than half of Brits believe King Charles is doing a good job as King (46%).
King Charles III arrives at the opening show of London Fashion Week 2026, shortly after the arrest of his brother Andrew on suspicion of misconduct in public office. (Lucy North/PA Wire)
Unsurprisingly, Andrew’s favourability rating was at just 5%.
Andrew, while no longer a prince, remains in the line of succession to the Crown.
Despite the King stripping his brother of titles and homes, as well as offering assistance to the authorities, it is clear that Andrew’s issues remain connected to the royals in the eyes of the general public.
Despite all King Charles has done, the monarchy’s detractors will ask why the Crown did not act earlier, and why more wasn’t asked of Andrew during the time and while allegations continued to mount.