Prince Andrew, the younger brother of King Charles, was taken into custody Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office amid allegations he shared classified government materials with deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Authorities released him later that day without filing formal charges.
The detention comes after the U.S. Justice Department made public millions of documents connected to Epstein, revealing the extensive connections between the wealthy financier and numerous high-profile political and business leaders. Epstein died while incarcerated in 2019.
The 66-year-old Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has already lost his royal titles and been removed from his residence due to his connections with Epstein. Two years ago, he reached a settlement in a civil case filed by an Epstein victim who claimed he sexually assaulted her as a minor. The settlement included no admission of guilt, and Thursday’s arrest was unrelated to those accusations.
Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing and expressed remorse about his association with Epstein. He has maintained he witnessed no sexual crimes.
Representatives for Andrew did not return requests for comment after his arrest, and he has remained silent publicly since the document release.
The following details from the released files reveal the nature of the relationship between Epstein and Mountbatten-Windsor:
CLASSIFIED GOVERNMENT MATERIALS
Released correspondence from U.S. authorities appears to demonstrate that Mountbatten-Windsor transmitted official documents and confidential materials to Epstein during 2010, while serving as a government trade representative. Trade representatives typically cannot share such materials due to confidentiality agreements.
One November 2010 correspondence shows Mountbatten-Windsor transmitting four UK government visit reports to Epstein covering Vietnam, Singapore, Hong Kong and Shenzhen, which his palace adviser had provided just minutes before following an official trade mission to southern China and Southeast Asia.
That same day, Mountbatten-Windsor also sent Epstein multiple files marked “Overseas Bids 301110,” which he had just received from his private office.
The materials also contain comprehensive expense evaluations related to his commercial and charitable activities.
A December 24, 2010 email reveals Mountbatten-Windsor transmitting what he called a “confidential brief” from Afghanistan’s Provincial Reconstruction Team regarding potential international investment opportunities to Epstein. He requested Epstein’s feedback and suggestions.
A May 2010 message references an earlier private conversation with Epstein about managing “responsibility” for financial matters. The context of whether the former prince was discussing his trade envoy duties or other matters remained unclear.
Mountbatten-Windsor indicated there were “no problems” provided he assigned investment responsibility to trusts, banks, investment vehicles or “trusted individuals.”
Additional messages show Mountbatten-Windsor sharing sensitive internal information with an Abu Dhabi banker, including details about a potential approach to luxury automaker Aston Martin. A former royal aide forwarded that correspondence to Epstein. Other communications include financial discussions and preparations for a planned China trip in his trade envoy capacity.
BUSINESS VENTURES
Other correspondence indicates Mountbatten-Windsor was considering a private business venture with Epstein called the Green Park Group in 2010 while still serving as trade envoy. Separate messages show discussions with a mutual contact about an investment entity called Witan Holdings.
A July 2010 email chain shows Mountbatten-Windsor discussing a proposed $8 billion “cash-for-oil” deal involving contacts in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Libya. The messages describe potential roles for senior UAE and Libyan officials, including an introduction to a top aide of Libya’s former leader Muammar Gaddafi.
Additional emails show Mountbatten-Windsor discussing China-related business engagement in 2010, including preparations for a Beijing trip and an “exchange deal of private placement for oil.”
SOCIAL CONNECTIONS
The documents reveal that Mountbatten-Windsor maintained social contact with Epstein both before and after his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
In a 2009 sworn statement, Epstein’s former house manager Juan Alessi testified that Mountbatten-Windsor would stay at the disgraced financier’s property for weeks and received “daily massages.” Alessi could not be reached for comment.
Mountbatten-Windsor has denied any improper conduct during his time with Epstein.
In 2010, shortly after Epstein’s house arrest concluded, he emailed Mountbatten-Windsor about a “beautiful” and “trustworthy” 26-year-old Russian woman he thought the then-prince might enjoy dining with. Mountbatten-Windsor replied he would be “delighted” to meet her and asked: “Will she be bringing a message from you?”
The documents also contain photographs of Mountbatten-Windsor lying across the laps of several women, whose faces have been obscured.
