For generations, the sprawling Sandringham Estate, located three hours northeast of London, has served as a tranquil retreat for the House of Windsor. It’s here that King Charles III and his family traditionally gather for Christmas, greeting well-wishers during their festive procession to church.
However, the peace of the estate was shattered early Thursday morning when unmarked police cars descended upon it. Officers arrested Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the King’s brother, on accusations of sharing confidential government information with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Later that night, he was seen returning to Sandringham, discreetly positioned in the back seat of a black SUV, as news cameras clamored to document his release.
The sight of Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor, already divested of his royal title and removed from his former residence, marked a stark symbol of a bygone era. This dramatic event is historically significant, as no British royal has been detained since King Charles I was arrested and faced treason charges in January 1649—nearly four centuries ago.
Already beleaguered by internal strife and profound losses, the King’s family now confronts what may be the most severe challenge to its moral authority in over a generation. This incident, a stark clash between law enforcement and royal tradition, has completely undermined Buckingham Palace’s strenuous attempts to disassociate itself from the allegations against the former prince.
The ongoing investigation into the former prince, potentially lasting for months, could evolve into one of modern British history’s most significant public spectacles, eclipsing even royal weddings and coronations. Should charges be brought, they would, by legal tradition, be formally presented in the King’s name: King Charles III versus his own brother.
Credit: Justin Tallis/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
This arrest comes after years during which both King Charles III and his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, maintained silence regarding separate accusations that Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor sexually assaulted Virginia Giuffre, who was trafficked by Mr. Epstein at age 17. The former prince has consistently denied these allegations and any wrongdoing connected to Mr. Epstein.
Ed Owens, a prominent historian and expert on Britain’s royal family, observed, ‘The royal family, far from dutifully serving the public in connection with this scandal that has enveloped Andrew, have not been transparent. They have not been forthcoming; secrets have persisted. It’s this lack of transparency that is the driving force of the moral problem at the heart of the mess for the monarchy.’
In an attempt to quell mounting public anger over his family’s handling of his brother’s situation, King Charles III released a statement to the British people on Thursday, simply signed “Charles R.” (the “R” denoting Rex, or king). He committed to not interfering with the nation’s criminal justice system and promised full cooperation with the investigation.
He stated, ‘What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities. In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and cooperation.’
Credit: Pool photo by Richard Pohle
Globally, particularly in the United States, the news of the former prince’s arrest highlighted a stark contrast: a notable absence of similar legal actions against others linked to Mr. Epstein, despite millions of pages of correspondence publicly revealing his interactions with powerful and affluent individuals.
In the U.S., only Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s long-term associate, was convicted of sex trafficking for her role in exploiting underage girls. Epstein himself was arrested and charged but died in prison before trial.
Following the former prince’s arrest on Thursday, a statement from the family of Ms. Giuffre, who tragically passed away last year, conveyed a powerful sentiment with just two words: ‘At last.’
Notably, however, the current investigation into Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor is not centered on the sexual assault allegations made against him over the past decade.
Instead, police are examining whether Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor engaged in misconduct in public office during his tenure as a British trade envoy, specifically investigating reports of information being shared with Mr. Epstein.
In Britain, this arrest feels like the dramatic climax of a decade-long saga that has steadily eroded the royal family’s public standing.
For years, the former prince’s association with Mr. Epstein cast a long shadow over the royal family, even as they grappled with pivotal moments in British history: the passing of Queen Elizabeth in 2022, the coronation of King Charles III, and Prince Harry’s highly publicized move to the United States.
The intense scrutiny began in 2010, when Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor was seen with Mr. Epstein in New York, just two years after the financier’s conviction for soliciting an underage girl for prostitution. The former prince later asserted that he had arranged this meeting personally to sever ties with Epstein.
However, recently released Epstein files from Washington indicate that contact between them persisted.
In 2011, a British newspaper published a notorious photograph showing Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor with his arm around Ms. Giuffre’s waist when she was 17. Scrutiny mounted further in 2015 when Ms. Giuffre filed a lawsuit, alleging she was trafficked by Epstein and forced to have sex with the former prince multiple times across three cities.
Four years later, following Mr. Epstein’s arrest and subsequent death by suicide, Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor attempted to salvage his reputation. During a televised interview on BBC’s Newsnight program, he asserted he had no memory of the photograph with Ms. Giuffre.
Credit: U.S. District Court, via Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
His nervous and evasive demeanor during the interview severely backfired. Viewers were reportedly shocked by his apparent lack of sympathy for Ms. Giuffre and largely disbelieved his denials of sexual misconduct. He even attempted to counter her claim of them sweating on a dance floor by asserting he was medically incapable of perspiring.
The aftermath of the interview led the former prince to step back from some royal duties, and in 2021, he settled a lawsuit with Ms. Giuffre, with the terms remaining sealed. Despite this, the royal family maintained its silence, preserving Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor’s royal standing.
His royal titles and residence were finally revoked last year, following the release of Ms. Giuffre’s memoir which unveiled further details of her allegations. The recent disclosure of Epstein files then propelled him and the royal family into uncharted territory, as a criminal investigation into misconduct in public office became a stark possibility.
On Thursday, King Charles appeared keen to quickly distance himself from his brother’s arrest, publicly stating that ‘my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.’ Mere hours later, the King was seen at the front row of a London fashion show, while Queen Camilla attended an orchestral concert.
However, experts predict the repercussions will be long-lasting, potentially affecting the next royal generation. The King is currently undergoing cancer treatment, and his heir, Prince William, recently expressed ‘deep concern’ over the allegations against his uncle.
Mr. Owens warned that if this ‘episode drags on and on,’ potentially for months or even years, ‘it could tarnish the beginnings of a new reign.’ Stephen Castle contributed reporting from London.