Prince Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Thames Valley Police said on February 19 that a man in his 60s from Norfolk was detained, and searches were carried out in Berkshire and Norfolk. He remains in custody, The Guardian reported.
Police are probing allegations that Andrew shared sensitive information with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during his time as UK trade envoy. Officers were seen at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate early in the morning.
Mysterious net worth under scanner
Time and again, questions have emerged about his finances. His only declared income is a Royal Navy pension from 1979 to 2001. Reports put it at about £20,000 a year. He also receives a state pension of £230.25 per week, Mirror Online reported.
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The last published figure for Andrew's public funding was £249,000 annually in 2010. After that, Queen Elizabeth II is understood to have made direct payments from her personal fortune while he carried out royal duties, as per the Daily Express.
Data published by The Guardian in 2023 showed he received around £13 million over 40 years to support his royal work.
Allowances after royal exit
Andrew's final official engagement took place in 2019. After his widely criticised BBC Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in November that year, he stepped back as a working royal.
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Beyond 2019, reports suggest Queen Elizabeth II and his elder brother Charles III maintained an annual allowance from the Windsors' personal funds. The amount was widely reported to be about £1 million per year.
Former minister Norman Baker has questioned how Andrew sustains his lifestyle. He said it remains unclear how much Andrew inherited or what private financial support he received, Mirror Online reported.
With his arrest and renewed scrutiny, both his conduct and the source of his wealth are now under sharper public focus.
King Charles issues statement on brother's arrest
King Charles issued a statement after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest. It read, "I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office."
"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," King Charles continued.
"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. As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter."
"Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all. Charles R," the statement concluded.
