Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public place of job. The arrest comes after the USA authorities launched information that gave the impression to point out he had shared legit knowledge with financier and convicted kid intercourse perpetrator Jeffrey Epstein whilst serving as a industry envoy for the United Kingdom. However the police have now not given main points of precisely what they’re investigating.
You will need to be transparent that the arrest isn’t associated with accusations of sexual attack or misconduct. In 2022, Mountbatten-Windsor reached a agreement with the overdue Virginia Giuffre for an undisclosed sum that didn’t come with an admission of legal responsibility.
Being named within the Epstein information isn’t a sign of misconduct. Mountbatten-Windsor has in the past denied any wrongdoing in his affiliation with Epstein and and has in the past rejected any recommendation he used his time as industry envoy to additional his personal pursuits.
What was once Mountbatten-Windsor’s legit position and why did he lose it?
In 2001, Tony Blair’s authorities made the then-prince the United Kingdom’s particular consultant for industry and funding. In keeping with the federal government on the time, his remit was once to “promote UK business internationally, market the UK to potential inward investors, and build relationships in support of UK business interests”. He didn’t obtain a wage, however he did cross on masses of journeys to advertise British companies.
Individuals of the royal circle of relatives are steadily deployed by means of the federal government on global missions to advertise industry. When negotiating with different nations, specifically the ones which can be additionally monarchies, sending a distinguished determine like a royal would possibly assist seal the deal. Certainly, the then-government claimed that the previous Duke of York’s “unique position gives him unrivalled access to members of royal families, heads of state, government ministers and chief executives of companies”.
It isn’t peculiar for participants of the royal circle of relatives to be deployed by means of the federal government for diplomatic missions. Royals steadily host incoming state visits and lead equivalent visits in another country, and will also be deployed to guide delegations on extra explicit missions.
Then again, Mountbatten-Windsor had an legit position as industry envoy. He stepped down from this position in 2011 following stories about his friendship with Epstein, who was once convicted of intercourse offences in 2011.
Are royals safe from prosecution?
The monarch is safe by means of sovereign immunity, a wide-ranging constitutional concept exempting him from all felony and civil legal responsibility. In keeping with the main nineteenth century constitutionalist Alfred Dicey, the monarch may now not also be prosecuted for “shooting the Prime Minister through the head”. The Prince of Wales additionally enjoys immunity as Duke of Cornwall, which protects him from punishment for breaking a spread of rules.
The State Immunity Act 1978, which confers immunity at the head of state, additionally extends to “members of the family forming part of the household”. Then again, this word has been interpreted narrowly to use to an excessively tight circle of folks and does now not seem to use to the monarch’s kids generally. As an example, in 2002 Princess Anne was once prosecuted (despite the fact that now not arrested) for failing to regulate her canines in Windsor Nice Park once they bit two kids.
The monarch additionally can’t be forced to provide proof in courtroom. As an example, prosecutors have been not able to summon the overdue queen to provide proof within the trial of Princess Diana’s former butler, who was once accused of stealing her jewelry.
In accordance with Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest, the king mentioned: “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. In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation. Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.”
When was once the closing time a royal was once arrested?
You need to return moderately a protracted method to to find the closing time {that a} member of the British royal circle of relatives was once arrested. This was once throughout the English civil battle, when Charles I used to be taken prisoner for treason ahead of being discovered accountable and in the long run carried out in 1649.
Numerous royals, together with Princess Anne, have dedicated driving-related offences, together with rushing. However this arrest makes Mountbatten-Windsor the primary member of the royal circle of relatives to be arrested in trendy occasions, despite the fact that it will have to be famous that he’s now not a royal – he was once stripped of all his legit titles in October 2025 as his friendship with Epstein got here below much more scrutiny.
The previous prince, pictured in 2019.
PjrNews/Alamy
What limits do police have on investigating royal estates?
Sovereign immunity additionally prevents police from coming into non-public royal estates to research alleged crimes with out permission. It will, theoretically, give protection to participants of the royal circle of relatives from arrest and prosecution. The Cultural Assets (Armed Conflicts) Act 2017 additionally bans police from looking royal estates for stolen or looted artefacts.
In 2007, two rooster harriers have been illegally shot at Sandringham property. Then again, Norfolk Police first had to ask Sandringham officers for permission to go into the property, during which time the useless birds’ our bodies have been got rid of. Police wondered Prince Harry, however didn’t convey fees.
Different incidents have allegedly ended in Sandringham being accused of changing into a flora and fauna crime hotspot, with a minimum of 18 reported instances of suspected flora and fauna offences happening between 2003-23 – but just one leading to prosecution.
Any other longstanding criminal precedent is that nobody is also arrested within the presence of the monarch or throughout the precincts of a royal palace. It was once idea that this rule may give protection to different participants of the royal circle of relatives and royal staff. Then again, Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest at Sandringham means that this antiquated concept would possibly now not grasp true these days.
