Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor thought he’d be spending his 66th birthday with just the seven dogs who live with him at Wood Farm, his temporary home on the Sandringham estate. Instead, it turned out to be a day that will be impossible to forget. Shortly after 8am, a convoy of six police vehicles arrived unannounced at the five-bedroom farmhouse tucked away down a 3km private road on the King’s Norfolk property. One car headed along a drive to the front of the home in which Andrew had only been living for three weeks following his eviction from Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park.
The others went to the back entrance. A police source told UK media that the operation was carried out with “stealth, speed and surprise”. It would certainly have been a huge shock for Andrew to find 15 police officers on both his doorsteps. And a massive upset to then be arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office – an offence that carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Several days before Andrew’s arrest, police from Thames Valley – the force that covers his former home in Windsor – confirmed they were investigating fresh claims against him. Detectives were examining allegations that, while serving as the UK’s special trade envoy, the former Duke of York had passed sensitive information to his friend, convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Their investigation was sparked by the release in the United States of millions of pages of files relating to Epstein, who died from suicide in prison in 2019.
Four hours of shock at the palace
But they gave no hint that they planned to arrest Andrew, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. Even the King had no idea. In London, His Majesty had to scramble his most trusted aides to formulate a response to his brother’s arrest. Four hours later, he issued a statement saying, “The law must take its course.” Then he got on with his job and attended the opening of London Fashion Week.
After being read his rights at Wood Farm, Andrew was escorted to an unmarked police vehicle. He was bundled into the back seat and driven to Aylsham Police Station, around 50 minutes away. His bodyguards followed behind in a separate car. While officers began combing the house for evidence – a search that would last until 6pm – 200km away in Windsor, more police descended on Royal Lodge. Armed with a warrant, they spent several days carrying out a meticulous search of the property.
Inside the custody suite
Once Andrew arrived at the police station, he was processed by the custody sergeant. He was treated like any other person under arrest. That included being fingerprinted and photographed, as well as having a saliva sample taken for DNA. He would then have been put in an interview room to await the arrival of his lawyer.
It’s alleged many staff at the police station were sent home because a “notable person” was being brought in and computer networks in the station were shut down so details of who that person was could not be leaked.
At 10am, police issued a statement. “As part of the investigation, we have today arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office, and are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk,” it read.
“The man remains in police custody at this time. We will not be naming the arrested man as per national guidance.”
The net widens
They may not have named him but the news quickly spread that the King’s brother had been arrested. No charges were laid – in fact Andrew may have to wait up until a year before he finds out whether he will be charged. He did learn that Thames Valley Police are also examining allegations that a woman was sent to the UK for a sexual encounter with him.
Numerous other British police forces are investigating possible crimes linked to Epstein, including whether airports around the country were used to facilitate sex trafficking. The late billionaire is
said to have used his private jet – nicknamed the Lolita Express – to fly young women into different airfields.
Meanwhile, investigating officers are contacting Andrew’s former police protection officers to ask if they were aware of any suspicious behaviour by the royal. After hours of questioning, Andrew was released at 7pm that night. As he was driven home, a photographer snapped him slumped in the back of the car, looking shellshocked.
Crisis at the core
News of the arrest whipped up a frenzy.
Former BBC correspondent Peter Hunt says, “The arrest of the eighth in line to the throne is seismic. Senior royals are now in uncharted waters that they are ill-equipped to navigate. “They will have to answer questions about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and be held accountable, something which, up until now, has been an alien concept for them.”
Along with the possibility of being jailed if charged and convicted, those consequences could also include being removed from the line of succession to the throne. He’s currently eighth in line and it would take an act of Parliament to remove him. That would have to be supported by the 14 Commonwealth countries where the King is head of state, including New Zealand.
What’s Andrew accused of doing?
Andrew’s arrest relates to his time as the UK’s special representative for international trade and investment, a role he held from 2001 until 2011. Files released in the United States appear to show that he passed sensitive government documents to Jeffrey Epstein while serving as trade envoy. These included a confidential brief on investment opportunities in Afghanistan, which he reportedly sent to the financier on Christmas Eve 2010.
It’s also alleged Andrew vouched for Epstein during a state visit to the United Arab Emirates that same year, reportedly emailing him to say, “You are in, big time.” These revelations come despite Epstein having already been convicted in 2008 of procuring a child for prostitution. Andrew resigned from his trade role in 2011 amid scrutiny of his associations but continued official duties until his 2019 BBC interview.
Victory for Virginia
The family of Andrew’s accuser, Virginia Giuffre, says justice has been done at last following the ex-prince’s arrest. Her brothers, Sky Roberts and Daniel Wilson, released a statement saying, “At last, today our broken hearts have been lifted at the news that no one is above the law, not even royalty. On behalf of our sister, we extend our gratitude to Thames Valley Police. For survivors everywhere, Virginia did this for you.”
Australia-based US citizen Virginia, who died by suicide last April, alleged she was trafficked to Andrew for sex three times at the age of 17 by his pal Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew vehemently denied her accusations, but in 2021 reportedly paid her $25 million in an out- of-court settlement.
Fergie’s downfall
Andrew’s arrest is not only damaging for the royal family, but it’s also catastrophic for his immediate family, particularly his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson. Her reputation was left in tatters after emails released among the Epstein files revealed just how close she had been to paedophile financier Epstein.
Now she’s said to be “in the depths of despair” following her ex-husband’s arrest and desperately worried about her future. According to one friend, Sarah, 66, is “very, very down. She feels that the world is out to get her. Some people, including Sarah herself, are worried for her mental health. “But what she doesn’t appear to feel is remorse for what has happened. She just wants this all to go away and allow her to get on with her life. Her head is in the sand.”
Escaping the fallout
After emails in which she said she described Epstein as a “supreme friend” were made public, Sarah went to ground. She travelled to the world’s most expensive wellness retreat in Switzerland, which costs $29,000 a night, and stayed there from just after Christmas until the end of January. Since then, she’s believed to have spent time in the French Alps and United Arab Emirates “sofa-surfing on a global scale”.
Despite her huge fall from grace, she still has plans to rebuild the life she once had, according to a source. Royal correspondent Jennie Bond says, “If it is true that she still thinks she can make some sort of comeback, she is more deluded that I thought possible.”
Her daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, have also been keeping a very low profile. They are deeply shocked at the turn of events, says an insider, and worried about the impact on their families. The King has made it clear that they will not be ostracised. He does not want to punish them for their parents’ friendship with Epstein, as they are entirely innocent. According to a source, he believes he owes them a duty of care.
However, the scandal could have lasting consequences beyond Andrew himself. It may affect any future roles Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 35, might have taken on within the slimmed-down monarchy. Charles may ultimately feel he has no choice but to completely distance himself from the York family. There have even been calls for the sisters to drop their titles.
HELP IS HERE
Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor.
Safe to Talk – 0800 044 334 or free text 4334 for help to do with sexual harm. Available 24/7 and staffed by trained counsellors.
Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO).
Lifeline – 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP).
Youthline – 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email [email protected] or online chat.
