The British police on Thursday evening released Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, after taking him into custody for several hours, intensifying a long-running crisis for the monarchy over his ties to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The detention and questioning of Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor, once seen as a dashing war hero and the favorite son of Queen Elizabeth II, was a staggering blow for the monarchy. It was the first time in modern history that a member of the British royal family had been arrested. The last time was in 1649, when Charles I was executed for treason during the English Civil War.
The authorities said they had arrested Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor on suspicions of misconduct in public office, without providing details. The arrest came amid reports that the former prince had shared confidential information with Mr. Epstein while serving as a British trade envoy.
Under British law, suspects are often released after questioning but later charged. The Thames Valley Police, who is carrying out the inquiry, said in a statement on Thursday evening that “the arrested man has now been released under investigation.”
Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied wrongdoing. His representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Buckingham Palace has been dogged by scandal for years over separate allegations that the former prince sexually abused a young woman. In an effort to stem the fallout for the monarchy, King Charles III last year stripped his brother of his royal titles and evicted him from the Royal Lodge, his sprawling residence in Windsor.
In a remarkable written statement, King Charles confirmed his brother’s arrest. A spokesman said that Buckingham Palace had not been informed of the arrest before it took place Thursday morning.
The police were seen on Thursday morning at the Sandringham Estate, the privately owned 20,000-acre country retreat of King Charles III and Queen Camilla in Norfolk, England, where Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor is living.
BENTO BOX
King Charles I was executed on January 30, 1649, after being found guilty of high treason following the English Civil War. His death marked the first time a reigning monarch was tried and executed in England.
Key Facts of the Trial and Execution
The Charges: He was tried by a specifically constituted High Court of Justice established by the Rump Parliament. The indictment charged him as a "tyrant, traitor, murderer, and public enemy" for waging war against his own people.
Defiance of the Court: Charles refused to recognize the court's authority, maintaining that a king—appointed by Divine Right—could not be tried by any earthly superior jurisdiction.
The Verdict: Despite his refusal to enter a plea, the court found him guilty. His death warrant was signed by 59 commissioners, including Oliver Cromwell.
Execution Details: The beheading took place on a scaffold outside the Banqueting House at Whitehall, London. Fearing the cold might make him shiver and be mistaken for cowardice, Charles famously wore two shirts.
Aftermath: Following the execution, the monarchy was abolished and replaced by the Commonwealth of England, a republic led by Cromwell as Lord Protector.
Significance
The trial established a radical precedent that a monarch is not above the law and is ultimately accountable to the people. Although the monarchy was later restored in 1660 under Charles II, the event permanently shifted the balance of power toward Parliament.
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