In a historic and grueling day for the British monarchy, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was released from police custody on Thursday evening following more than 11 hours of intensive questioning. The former prince, who turned 66 on the day of his arrest, was held at Aylsham police station in Norfolk from 8:00 AM until shortly after 7:00 PM. While he has been released "under investigation," he remains a central figure in a high-stakes criminal probe led by Thames Valley Police.
As part of the standard booking procedures for any individual arrested in the UK, reports indicate that police took Andrew's fingerprints, a custody photograph, and a DNA sample. While the current charge is "misconduct in public office" regarding the alleged leak of sensitive trade documents to Jeffrey Epstein, the collection of DNA is a significant procedural step. It ensures that his genetic profile is on record, which could be critical if the investigation expands into broader allegations related to the Epstein sex-trafficking network.
The questioning focused heavily on millions of pages of documents released by the U.S. Justice Department, which allegedly show Andrew forwarding confidential reports to Epstein in 2010. Although Andrew has consistently denied any sexual misconduct or criminal activity, the sheer length of the interrogation suggests that detectives presented him with substantial evidence. The presence of a DNA sample now adds a layer of forensic finality to his records that the former prince has avoided for years.
Looking "ashen-faced" and "shellshocked," the disgraced royal was driven back to the Sandringham Estate in the back of a car, avoiding direct contact with the press. This 11-hour ordeal marks the first time a senior member of the House of Windsor has undergone the standard, unvarnished experience of the British justice system. With King Charles III and Prime Minister Keir Starmer both emphasizing that "no one is above the law," the focus now shifts to whether the DNA and documentary evidence will lead to formal charges.