Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, was reportedly treated like a “common criminal suspect” after his arrest on Thursday morning.
According to the Telegraph, around 20 officers from Thames Valley Police, assisted by colleagues from Norfolk Constabulary, were involved in the arrest and subsequent raid of the disgraced royal’s new Wood Farm home on the Sandringham estate.
They arrived in several unmarked cars and identified themselves to staff before telling Andrew, who turned 66 that day, that he was being arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, Britain’s Sun newspaper reported.
He was then given the standard warning that he “didn’t have to say anything, but it could damage his defense if he didn’t mention something later in court when questioned in a credible manner.”
According to reports, Andrew was allowed to prepare under the watchful eye of one of the arresting officers. Two of his personal bodyguards, former Metropolitan Police Department employees, were reportedly by his side while authorities searched his home.
About an hour later, Andrew is believed to have been placed in one of the unmarked cars and driven alone to Aylsham Police Station. A Norfolk police car drove in front, followed by another car carrying bodyguards.
It is believed Andrew was not handcuffed because he has no history of violence and is unlikely to attempt to flee.
When the police sergeant arrived at the station, he confirmed that the reason for the arrest was legitimate and allowed him to be detained. Andrew was then tested to see if he was mentally and physically fit to be detained and questioned.
He was then ordered to hand over his mobile phone and all accessories, including his belt, after being searched for anything that could be used to harm himself or others.
Andrew then had his face photographed, his fingerprints taken and he submitted a saliva sample for DNA purposes. It is unclear whether he was being held in solitary confinement or a private room, and whether he had one or more bodyguards or not.
But the typical cell is described as “spartan” because it has a mattress 6 to 12 inches above the floor and a screened-in toilet inside.
Andrew was allowed to make one phone call before being questioned and is believed to have called a top lawyer. It is believed that a lawyer was also present at the press conference, but the two are allowed to speak beforehand.
Meanwhile, investigators searched the Wood Farm location and Andrew’s former Royal Lodge home in Windsor during his time in custody.
Andrew was released at around 7pm and appeared horrified as he sat in the back seat of the car and was driven away.
He had no prior knowledge of the police raid, nor did his younger brother Charles III.
Following his arrest, the 77-year-old monarch said in a statement: “It is with deep concern that I learned of the news regarding Mr. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and his alleged misconduct in public office.
“There will now be a full, fair and appropriate process whereby this matter is investigated in an appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities. As I have previously stated, the authorities have their full and wholehearted support and cooperation in this regard.”
Andrew is accused of sending confidential government documents to the late US financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein while he was Britain’s trade envoy from 2001 to 2011.
