Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, was detained Thursday for alleged “misconduct in public office” related to his time as the United Kingdom’s special envoy for international trade between 2001 and 2011, a move that raises questions about the future of the royal family. The arrest marks the first time a member of the royal family has been detained in modern history.
The investigation centers on suspicions that Andrew improperly shared confidential information with American financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, based on emails extracted from Epstein’s files. Specifically, authorities are examining whether Andrew disclosed details about trade trips to Asia and potential investment opportunities in Afghanistan.
The charge of “misconduct in public office” is rarely used, typically reserved for cases involving alleged corruption among law enforcement or prison staff. Legal experts say there is no established sentencing guideline for the offense, meaning potential penalties could range from a fine to life in prison.
“The range of penalties goes from a simple fine to life imprisonment,” explained Mark Stephens, a constitutional law specialist at the London firm Howard Kennedy. He added that proving the offense is “extremely difficult,” requiring evidence that the accused intended to use their position for personal gain or to benefit another party.
Authorities will need to authenticate documents from the latest release of the Epstein files, published January 30 by the U.S. Department of Justice, before they can be used as evidence, though Stephens described this as a formality.
Peter Mandelson, a former British ambassador to the United States, is also under investigation for the same alleged offense, related to his time as a minister in Gordon Brown’s Labour government between 2008 and 2010.
Uncertain Future for Prince Andrew
Prince Andrew was released to return home pending further investigation, but police conducted searches at two of his residences without a warrant following his arrest. According to Stephens, the searches were intended to gather additional evidence and verify statements made during his detention.
The Duke of York could face further questioning and formal charges, or the investigation could conclude without an indictment. He could also face scrutiny in other areas of the broader Epstein case.
“evidence of other offenses may emerge, perhaps related to allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct,” Stephens said, referencing the police searches.
Prince Andrew was previously accused by Virginia Giuffre, who died by suicide in 2025, of sexual assault when she was 17 years traditional, allegations he has consistently denied.
A dozen police forces across the United Kingdom have indicated they are reviewing documents from the latest release of the Epstein files. Yet, none of the sexual assault allegations against Andrew have been the subject of a formal investigation until now.
The investigation could turn into complicated if Andrew were to invoke “sovereign immunity,” a legal principle that shields members of the royal family from prosecution. “The King can do no wrong,” Stephens noted, explaining that this complex area of law has rarely been tested in court.
Despite having lost his royal titles, Stephens believes Andrew could attempt to claim immunity because he was a prince at the time of the alleged offenses. However, his brother, King Charles III, could potentially waive that immunity, having previously stated his willingness to cooperate with the police.
🚨 BREAKING: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been told he must remove himself from the line of succession following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office
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The case highlights the ongoing fallout from the Epstein scandal and its potential to further damage the reputation of the British monarchy.
