King Charles III promised “full and wholehearted support” to the investigation into his disgraced brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, while stressing that “the law must take its course.”
The British monarch released a statement soon after the former Prince Andrew was taken into custody on Thursday — his 66th birthday — on suspicion of misconduct in public office and allegations he shared confidential material with Jeffrey Epstein.
“I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office,” King Charles said in a statement.
King Charles said he will give his “full and wholehearted support” to the investigation of his brother Andrew. POOL/AFP via Getty Images
King Charles III’s statement on his brother’s arrest.
“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,” the statement continued.
“In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation,” King Charles said, adding that “the law must take its course.”
Neither the King nor Buckingham Palace was informed in advance of Andrew’s arrest, according to BBC News.
Prince William and Kate Middleton have also expressed their support for the king’s statement, the outlet added.
Police carried out searches of Andrew’s home on the King’s Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, eastern England, on Wednesday morning.
Searches were then carried out at his former address at the Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park, west of London.
Andrew has previously denied any wrongdoing in relation to the late financier and pedophile Epstein.
This is the first time the shamed royal — who has faced numerous allegations over his links to Epstein — has been arrested.
Then-Prince Andrew (left) and King Charles III leave after the Requiem Mass for the Duchess of Kent at Westminster Cathedral in London, Sept. 16, 2025. AP
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor kneeling over a woman lying on the floor, an image released from the Epstein documents. US DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE/AFP via Getty ImagesWednesday’s arrest is unrelated to Virginia Giuffre, the Epstein victim who alleged that she was trafficked to have sex with Andrew — claims the former royal has strenuously denied.
The arrest relates to Andrew’s time as a British trade envoy and is believed to be tied to the Department of Justice’s release of 3 million documents as part of the Epstein Files.
Giuffre’s brother released a statement following Andrew’s arrest, applauding British police for their work.
More coverage on ex-Prince Andrew Mountbatten Windsor’s arrest
- Masseuse who gave ex-Prince Andrew naked massage in Buckingham Palace reveals creepy interaction
- Ex-British Ambassador to US arrested in Epstein probe — in case similar to ex-Prince Andrew
- Ex-Prince Andrew charged taxpayers for massages during his stint as UK trade envoy: reports
- Infamous photo of ex-Prince Andrew after his arrest hung in the Louvre by activists, stuns visitors
“At last. Today, our broken hearts have been lifted at the news that no one is above the law, not even royalty,” the statement read.
Giuffre took her own life at her home in Australia in April 2025, weeks after saying she feared she was about to die.
Her brother’s words echoed those of Britain’s under-fire Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who warned Andrew that “nobody is above the law,” in a BBC interview just hours before the ex-royal’s arrest on Thursday.
“Anybody who has any information should testify,” said Starmer, whose own future has been called into question over his decision to appoint Epstein crony Peter Mandelson as his US ambassador.
