King Charles III said on Thursday that the law must take its course following the arrest of his younger brother, former Prince Andrew, on suspicion of misconduct in public office amid the Epstein files row. The monarch added that he had “learned the news with the deepest concern” and said the royal family would fully support the police investigation.
"I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office," Charles said in a statement.
Charles' reaction came hours after former prince Andrew was arrested, the same day he turned 66 years old.
“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 ... Let me state clearly: the law must take its course,” the British monarch's statement added.
Why was Andrew arrested?
King Charles' brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who is a former British prince, was arrested by the UK police on suspicions of ‘misconduct’ in public office amid the ongoing Epstein files row. Mountbatten-Windsor faces allegations of passing confidential government documents to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Also read| Ex-Prince Andrew arrested over ‘misconduct’ amid Epstein files row
{{/usCountry}}Also read| Ex-Prince Andrew arrested over ‘misconduct’ amid Epstein files row
{{/usCountry}}Thames Valley Police confirmed that it had opened an investigation into an offense of misconduct in public office and arrested a man in his sixties. Mountbatten-Windsor turned 66 on Thursday.
Earlier in the day, several British reports said that police arrived at the residence of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in eastern England.
Six unmarked police cars and around eight officers in civvies had reportedly arrived at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate in eastern England earlier in the day, Reuters reported.
Mountbatten-Windsor is a member of the British royal family and the second son of the late Queen Elizabeth.
The emails released by the US Department of Justice last month showed Andrew allegedly disclosing confidential information to Epstein during his time as UK trade envoy, a position he held between 2001 and 2011.
While he has consistently denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died in prison in 2019, Mountbatten-Windsor has said he regrets their friendship with him.