Overview
- Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was detained on 19 February and released that evening pending further investigation into alleged misconduct in public office.
- Detectives searched Royal Lodge in Windsor and his residence at Sandringham, seizing documents, and they are now seeking accounts from current and former protection officers.
- The inquiry draws on newly released Epstein-related records suggesting he forwarded official trade and investment reports from his time as a UK trade envoy to Jeffrey Epstein.
- Ministers say legislation to exclude him from the line of succession is being prepared once the police inquiry concludes, a change that would require UK parliamentary approval and assent from 14 other Commonwealth realms.
- King Charles III has said the law must take its course and publicly used his brother’s civilian name, while polling cited by UK media shows strong public backing for removing Andrew; the offense carries a theoretical maximum life sentence if ever prosecuted and convicted.