Andrew Mountbatten Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office, on his 66th birthday. A royal expert tells the Mirror that the importance of this moment cannot be overstated
With Andrew Mountbatten Windsor spending his 66th birthday in police custody, it’s hard to imagine a more critical moment for the monarchy. And one expert has shared her view on exactly why it’s such a “significant” moment in royal history.
Officers arrived at Andrew’s Sandringham home at around 8am and arrested the former duke on suspicion of misconduct in public office. They are also carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk. It’s believed the ex-prince had no forewarning that he would be be spending his birthday in a custody suite, let alone in a police interview.
Pressure has piled on the former-prince after three million pages of previously unseen emails, documents and images from the Epstein Files were released in the US. Apparent emails between Andrew and the paedophile were released, as well a disturbing image of him on all fours over a woman. One email from Christmas Eve in 2010 shows an account that appears to be Andrew’s forwarding confidential material relating to investment opportunities in the reconstruction of Helmand Province to Epstein.
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The King’s brother still faces a myriad of other allegations – not relating to his arrest today – and royal expert Afua Acheampong-Hagan tells the Mirror that the importance of this moment cannot be “overestimated”.
“I think it’s been a long time coming,” she says. “How poetic that it happened on his 66th birthday, this is clearly a significant turn of events. The [police] forces involved clearly decided that there was enough evidence that they could make this arrest. The pictures of him and the detectives and everything – the moving images we’ve got, it’s so significant. I don’t think we overestimate how significant this actually is.”
Multiple police forces have launched probes into Andrew’s ties with Epstein, and the National Crime Agency (NCA) has revealed it is supporting UK police forces investigating information in the Epstein files, to “enable a full and independent assessment of the information released”.
The expert tells the Mirror that she hopes that “justice” for survivors is finally on the table. “I really, hope that [sex trafficking allegations] are brought into the conversation. Of course, I don’t not work for the police service, [and] I don’t know what they are working with, but I would really like to see those charges brought, for the survivors, and for all those people who feel they have been ignored, overlooked, not believed. I would like every single bit of justice applied in this honestly, every single bit of justice that could be brought in this case, brought.”
The royal expert believes like Andrew, the other royals would have been totally “surprised” by him being arrested today on his birthday – it is understood that no one in the House of Windsor was informed ahead of time. However, another royal expert, royal biographer Andrew Lownie, does not believe this is the case. The author says that in his opinion: “I’m sure [Charles] was,” [informed] and I think he would have okayed this.”
Afua argues that Andrew “doesn’t have any money,” so when it comes to the question of how he will pay for a solicitor, she thinks it “will probably come from the royal family”.
Currently Charles is said to be giving his brother a “modest stipend”. If the Royal Family are not paying for legal representation for Andrew – he will have to rely on the duty solicitor at the station he has been taken to. It is not known where he is being held.
The King said in a statement that the police have his full “co-operation” when it comes to investigating his younger brother. He wrote personally: “I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office. What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities. In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation.
“Let me state clearly: the law must take its course. As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.”
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy has said about Andrew’s arrest, “nobody in this country is above the law,” echoing comments made earlier today by Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Properties in Berkshire and Norfolk are currently being searched by the police, and phones, laptops, and other communications devices could all be seized.
