Prince Andrew with Virginia Giuffre
© DOJFormer Prince Andrew with Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell in an undated photo.
Disgraced ex-Prince Andrew was arrested Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office for allegedly forwarding confidential trade documents to pedophile pal Jeffrey Epstein.

At least six unmarked police cars and around eight plainclothes officers swooped onto the king's brother's Sandringham Estate in eastern England early Thursday — Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's 66th birthday.

Andrew — who is still eighth in line for the throne — faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted.

One officer was seen carrying a police-issued laptop after arriving at Sandringham around 8 a.m., with the cars leaving around 30 minutes later.

Police also searched a separate property in Berkshire — reportedly his former home, Royal Lodge — the force said, without directly identifying the king's brother, citing strict UK laws.

Andrew remains in custody, a Thames Valley Police spokesperson said.

Andrew was reported to Thames Valley Police earlier this month over alleged misconduct in public office following complaints that documents in the Epstein files allegedly showed he'd shared trade documents with the convicted sex offfender.

Trade envoys must keep details about their trips confidential — even when they are no longer in the post — under the Official Secrets Act.


Comment: BBC's Lucy Manning provided more on what the investigation centers around:
My understanding is that there's been a very significant development in the investigation into the Epstein files. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested this morning on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

That goes back to documents from when he was a trade envoy, that are alleged to have been passed to Epstein.

. . .

It's Thames Valley Police who have been looking into these allegations against Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

They have been looking into allegations of misconduct in public office and allegations that a second woman was sent to the UK by Jeffrey Epstein for a sexual encounter with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

My understanding is that this arrest is just about the misconduct in public office and obviously a very significant moment that the former prince has been arrested.

He has previously strenuously denied any wrongdoing on any of these matters related to Epstein.

King Charles III expressed his "deepest concern" at the arrest, while vowing his "full and wholehearted support" for investigators.

"Let me state clearly: the law must take its course," the king said, with heir to the throne Prince William and wife and Kate Middleton saying they supported the statement.

The royal family was not told in advance that Andrew would be arrested, as reported by BBC News. The queen is continuing with today's engagements in central London.

The arrest came just hours after UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said that "nobody is above the law" when asked if Andrew should voluntarily speak to investigators about his pervy pal.

"I think that's a matter for the police," he told the BBC.

"They will conduct their own investigations, but one of the core principles in our system is that everybody is equal under the law and nobody is above the law.

"It's a very important principle of our country ... and it has to apply in this case in the same way it would in any other case."

Andrew's arrest also comes after a slew of UK police forces said they were investigating evidence within the trove of Department of Justice-released files.

A total of 87 flights linked to Epstein arrived at or departed from UK airports from the early 1990s to 2018.

Andrew was initially investigated over long-running claims by Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre that she was made to have sex with him three times — starting when she was 17 — on orders from Epstein and his madam, Ghislaine Maxwell.

Andrew was never charged and has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.

However, he paid millions of pounds to Giuffre in a civil settlement, while continuing to deny wrongdoing. He also lost his royal duties and titles over the scandal of his close friendship with Epstein and Maxwell.

Giuffre died by suicide last year, but her siblings and their spouses celebrated news of Andrew's arrest.

"At last," they said in a statement soon after news of the arrest broke. "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, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, we extend our gratitude to the UK's Thames Valley Police for their investigation, and the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

"He was never a prince. For survivors everywhere, Virginia did this for you."