Prince Andrew, Duke of York and brother of King Charles III, has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, according to Thames Valley Police.

While authorities did not initially name the 66-year-old royal, police confirmed the arrest of a man in his 60s. The arrest reportedly took place in Norfolk, where officers were seen conducting searches. Additional activity has been reported in Berkshire. Andrew remains in custody as the investigation continues.

Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright emphasized the importance of protecting the integrity of the investigation and declined to comment further on specific allegations.

The investigation centers on claims that Andrew may have shared confidential information in 2010. The arrest has renewed scrutiny over his long-standing association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Andrew has faced years of controversy over his ties to Epstein, including allegations from Virginia Giuffre, who claimed she was 17 when she had a sexual encounter with him. Andrew has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. Giuffre’s family expressed gratitude following news of the arrest.

In 2019, Queen Elizabeth II removed Andrew from official royal duties amid backlash over his Epstein connection. Later, King Charles III stripped him of remaining royal titles and distanced the monarchy from the controversy. Andrew was recently ordered to vacate his longtime residence near Windsor Castle.

The developments come as Epstein’s global network continues to face scrutiny. During a recent House hearing, Attorney General Pam Bondi addressed broader concerns about elite power structures and accountability. Lawmakers, including Sen. John Ossoff, have referred to wealthy and politically connected individuals tied to Epstein as the “Epstein Class,” calling for deeper investigation into whether influence shielded powerful figures from consequences.

Epstein maintained relationships with elites across political and business circles. His connections reportedly included figures such as Elon Musk and Bill Gates, highlighting the breadth of his social reach.

To date, no American political leader has faced criminal charges directly tied to Epstein’s network, though public pressure for accountability continues.

This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.