British police searched properties linked to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, King Charles III’s younger brother, a day after he was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office in a case tied to his links with Jeffrey Epstein.
Reuters reported that officers searched a former residence connected to him after a photograph of him leaving a police station was published widely, while police said he was released “under investigation” and has not been charged.
The arrest followed the release of millions of pages of US Justice Department records related to Epstein, which prompted UK police to examine allegations about whether Mountbatten-Windsor improperly shared official material during his time in public roles.
Searches at Sandringham and Windsor
Reuters said police searched Wood Farm on the king’s Sandringham estate in eastern England, where Mountbatten-Windsor was reported to be living.
Reuters also reported that Thames Valley Police searched the Windsor estate, west of London, where Mountbatten-Windsor had previously lived until he was removed from the residence amid fallout linked to the Epstein case.
Police later said the Sandringham search had finished while searches at Windsor were continuing at that time, Reuters reported.
AP separately reported that images circulating online appeared to show unmarked police vehicles arriving at the Sandringham estate with plainclothes officers.
What police say the case is about
The case centers on suspected misconduct in public office, with allegations that Mountbatten-Windsor transmitted sensitive government or trade-related documents to Epstein.
AP reported that Thames Valley Police said it was “evaluating” claims that trade documents were forwarded to Epstein in 2010, and that the review was triggered by the release of millions of pages of records from a US inquiry into Epstein.
Reuters described the allegation as the passing of confidential government reports to Epstein during Mountbatten-Windsor’s time as a trade envoy.
In a separate BBC analysis, the arrest was linked to Mountbatten-Windsor’s tenure as the UK’s trade representative from 2001 to 2011, and the BBC listed allegations including sharing reports from trade missions and a classified briefing about investments in Afghanistan with Epstein, and disclosing a Treasury briefing to a personal business associate.
Detention length and current status
Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on Thursday, which Reuters noted was also his 66th birthday, and he was later released under investigation without being charged.
On how long he was held, outlets described slightly different time spans: Reuters said he was held for more than 10 hours, NBC News said he was released after about 11 hours, and ABC News said he was released after nearly 12 hours.
Reuters emphasized that he had not been charged with any offense at the time of its report.
NBC News also reported that he had not been charged and had not been cleared.
Palace response and wider context
Reuters reported that King Charles said the legal process “must proceed.”
ABC News reported that Buckingham Palace said the king would offer full cooperation and stressed the need for a thorough and proper investigation.
Reuters reported that the arrest came after the US Justice Department released millions of documents related to Epstein and said the former prince had already lost royal titles and been removed from his residence due to his connections with Epstein.
ABC News provided a timeline saying Mountbatten-Windsor announced on October 17, 2025, that he would forfeit royal titles after discussions with King Charles, and on October 30, 2025, the king declared he would lose remaining royal honors, including his title of prince, and would need to vacate the Windsor estate and move to private accommodations at Sandringham.
Reuters reported that in 2022 he settled a civil lawsuit brought by one of Epstein’s victims without acknowledging wrongdoing, and Reuters said the recent arrest was unrelated to her claims.
Al Jazeera also reported that he has consistently denied wrongdoing related to Epstein, while noting public anger in the UK over his ties to Epstein.
