UK: Ex-Prince Andrew Arrested on His 66th Birthday — First Royal Arrest in Centuries

London — In a seismic development that has shaken Britain’s monarchy to its core, former Prince Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested Thursday morning on suspicion of misconduct in public office — on his 66th birthday.
Thames Valley Police confirmed the arrest, noting the charge carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment in the United Kingdom. The stunning development marks the first arrest of a member of the royal family in centuries, making him the most high-profile figure to face criminal accusations in the ongoing Epstein scandal. 
The arrest followed revelations in the Jeffrey Epstein files released by the US Justice Department. Emails among the millions of documents appear to show the former prince passing confidential reports from his visits as an official British trade envoy to Singapore, Hong Kong and Vietnam to the disgraced financier.  (CBS News) Police conducted searches at two addresses — in Berkshire and Norfolk.
King Charles III stated that “the law must take its course,” promising the royal family’s full support and cooperation with investigators.  Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed the sentiment, saying “no one is above the law” and that Mountbatten-Windsor should cooperate with US authorities. 
The family of Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre welcomed the arrest, saying their sister’s years-long fight had finally brought accountability to the highest levels of British society.
Analysts described the development as yet another devastating blow to Britain’s already embattled monarchy, with one Al Jazeera correspondent noting it represents an extraordinary fall from grace for a man who was once Queen Elizabeth II’s favourite son.