LONDON: Britain’s monarch’s younger brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, returned home after spending 11 hours at a police station for questioning over alleged misconduct in public office. The 66-year-old was seen leaving Aylsham Police Station on Thursday. Authorities have not released further details about the investigation at this stage. In the first images following his release, Andrew was photographed reclining in the back seat of a vehicle shortly after a Thames Valley Police official confirmed that searches in Norfolk had concluded.
Earlier, King Charles III, who reportedly was not informed of the arrest beforehand, issued a brief statement saying that “the law must take its course.” Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales also expressed support for the monarch’s remarks. The arrest follows a statement from Thames Valley Police indicating they were reviewing a complaint concerning the alleged sharing of confidential material by the former prince with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Andrew, who turns 66 today, has consistently denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein.Commenting on the first photograph of the royal after his release, royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills described it as “an awful photograph,” adding that he appeared “fairly haunted by the experience.” She further noted that members of the royal family are accustomed to being photographed while traveling in cars, and suggested Andrew seemed to be attempting to shield himself from photographers as much as possible.
