The Epstein files strike again: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested on his birthday

A dramatic judicial development has unfolded in the United Kingdom. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, brother of the British sovereign Charles III, has been arrested on suspicion of “misconduct in public office.” The news was first reported by the BBC and confirmed by Thames Valley Police, which referred to the arrest of “a man in his sixties,” without formally naming him.

The former prince, who turned 66 today, has once again found himself at the center of a legal storm following the emergence of further details about his relationship with American financier Jeffrey Epstein, who died in 2019 while in custody on sex trafficking charges. According to reports in the British press, also echoed by Italian media outlets, the investigation focuses on documents and emails dating back to the early 2010s, when Mountbatten-Windsor served as the UK government’s special trade envoy. Investigators are seeking to determine whether confidential information relating to official visits and potential economic opportunities was improperly shared with Epstein.

Police have also carried out searches at properties linked to the former member of the royal family, including residences located on the Sandringham House estate. Authorities stress that the investigation is ongoing and that no formal charges have yet been filed.

The case reignites controversy that, since 2019, had already forced Mountbatten-Windsor to withdraw from public life. In the years that followed, he progressively lost official roles and titles in an effort to limit reputational damage to the monarchy of the United Kingdom.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that “no one is above the law,” emphasizing the need for a thorough and impartial investigation. For its part, Buckingham Palace said it would cooperate with authorities if requested, reiterating its concern and respect for victims of abuse.

Mountbatten-Windsor, according to his legal representatives, denies any wrongdoing. However, the arrest marks an unprecedented moment in the recent history of the British monarchy, with institutional and reputational repercussions that remain to be seen.

Andrea Pelucchi