Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested as it happened: Former prince released from custody after 11 hours amid Epstein scandal; King Charles, Trump, Virginia Giuffre’s family issue statement

This is where we will end our live updates on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s shock overnight arrest.

To recap, here are some of the main points of the story we’ve covered today.

• Andrew has returned to his Sandringham estate home, more than 12 hours after he was arrested on the morning of his 66th birthday. He looked sullen in the back seat of the vehicle that whisked him from Aylsham Police Station in north Norfolk, after he was snapped slouching in an apparent attempt to avoid the cameras when leaving detention. Police searches at his Norfolk address have concluded, though similar investigations in Berkshire, believed to be the Royal Lodge, Andrew’s former residence, continue.

• Holding back tears, Virginia Giuffre’s brother described what he thinks his sister would be doing after hearing the news of Andrew’s arrest, saying she would have used the opportunity to toast with her “survivor sisters”. Giuffre, who claimed she was trafficked to engage in sex with Mountbatten-Windsor when she was 17, died by suicide in Western Australia last year.

• A lawyer for Jeffrey Epstein’s victims said the news of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest could “restore some faith for those who believed justice was unreachable”. US lawyer Spencer T. Kuvin, who represents victims of the notorious billionaire sex offender, told CNN that victims of abuse “often face disbelief and backlash”, and that the legal process must remain “centred on survivors’ dignity regardless of the fame, power or wealth of a potential perpetrator”.

• Australian politicians reacted to the news of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest, saying it comes as a significant “fall from grace”. Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has lauded legal systems under which everyone is treated equally after the former prince was arrested in the UK. Health Minister Mark Butler said the former prince was now just like any other man. “There’s not much we can appropriately say about the potential for charges, but… what a fall from grace,” Butler told Seven’s Sunrise this morning.

• Charles has said the “law must take its course”, reaffirming that authorities have “our full and wholehearted support and co-operation”. Prince William and Princess Catherine signalled their support for the King’s statement. Charles continued his royal duties hours after his brother’s arrest, holding an audience at St James’ Palace and being photographed at a London Fashion Week event. Police said the Home Office was given advance warning of the arrest.

Be sure to keep an eye on our site throughout the day for any major developments.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former prince and younger brother of King Charles III, has been arrested at his home on the Sandringham Estate on his 66th birthday.

Mountbatten-Windsor was taken into custody after UK police arrived at the property in plain clothes in the early hours of Thursday morning, London time.

The arrest relates to suspicion of misconduct in public office linked to his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

After about 11 hours of questioning, the former prince was released from Aylsham police station in north Norfolk.

The arrest follows the recent release of millions of documents from the Epstein files by the US Department of Justice. It is unrelated to his treatment of women or his history with Virginia Roberts Giuffre. Mountbatten-Windsor has faced accusations for many years that he sexually assaulted Giuffre, but he has repeatedly denied the claims.

Read more about the case, the law and the former prince here.

The arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on Thursday predictably dominates the front pages of the British press, with many papers pulling no punches on the latest ignominious episode for the former prince, which has left the monarchy reeling.

Mountbatten-Windsor’s glazed expression, slumped in the back of a Range Rover after 11 hours in police custody, stares out from newspapers across the board.

Read the full story here.

A lawyer for Jeffrey Epstein’s victims says the news of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest could “restore some faith for those who believed justice was unreachable”.

US lawyer Spencer T. Kuvin, who represents victims of the notorious billionaire sex offender, told CNN that victims of abuse “often face disbelief and backlash”, and that the legal process must remain “centred on survivors’ dignity regardless of the fame, power or wealth of a potential perpetrator”.

“Survivors want more than a sensational news cycle — they want truth, accountability and lasting change in how the powerful are held responsible for their actions,” Kuvin told CNN.

“[Andrew’s] arrest should be a step toward that, not the end of the conversation.”

Good morning and welcome to our rolling coverage of the shock arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former prince and younger brother of King Charles.

Here is what we know today:

• Andrew has returned to his Sandringham estate home, more than 12 hours after he was arrested on the morning of his 66th birthday. He looked sullen in the back seat of the vehicle that whisked him from Aylsham police station in north Norfolk, after he was snapped slouching in an apparent attempt to avoid the cameras when leaving detention. Police searches at his Norfolk address have concluded, though similar investigations in Berkshire, believed to be the Royal Lodge, Andrew’s former residence, continue.
• The former prince didn’t receive any royal treatment while in detention, according to UK tabloid The Sun, reporting that he was processed like a “common criminal suspect”. He was reportedly subject to standard procedures, including a DNA saliva swab, fingerprints and a mug shot, and read his rights by police. He was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office over links to Jeffrey Epstein – the common law offence carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
• Charles has said the “law must take its course”, reaffirming that authorities have “our full and wholehearted support and co-operation”. Prince William and Princess Catherine signalled their support for the King’s statement. Charles continued his royal duties hours after his brother’s arrest, holding an audience at St James’ Palace and being photographed at a London Fashion Week event. Police said the Home Office was given advance warning of the arrest.
• The journalist who conducted Andrew’s train wreck 2019 BBC interview said she was “stunned” by the arrest. Emily Maitlis told ABC Radio National that “to say that this is a crisis moment, I think, doesn’t begin to cover it”. The family of Virginia Giuffre, a high-profile accuser of Epstein, said they “celebrated” the arrest, hoping it would “open up” probes into allegations of sexual assault. Europe correspondent David Crowe spoke to London locals after the arrest, many expressing support for the investigation, some saying it was several years overdue.
• US President Donald Trump called Andrew’s arrest “very sad” and a “shame” for the royal family, while praising Charles ahead of his visit to the United States. During a state visit to the UK in 2019, Trump denied knowing Andrew, even though they had been photographed together.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor didn’t receive any royal treatment while in police custody, according to British tabloid newspaper The Sun which reports that he was processed like a “common criminal suspect” at Aylsham police station.

With the former prince detained for almost 12 hours before being allowed to return to Sandringham Estate, The Sun reports the disgraced royal was subject to standard procedures, with a DNA saliva swab, fingerprints and a mug shot taken.

Mountbatten-Windsor was reportedly taken aside and read his rights by the police. His two private bodyguards, former Met Police officers, were by his side as the premises were searched.

King Charles’ brother was not handcuffed and would have been entitled to a phone call, the report added.

His arrest was related to alleged misconduct in public office and relates to his time as a trade envoy.

He was entrusted with confidential information about trade deals and investment opportunities during his tenure. He is accused of leaking this to help his friend, the disgraced financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.