Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is effectively living 'in limbo' at his Norfolk home as he awaits the outcome of a police investigation into allegations of misconduct in public office, according to a source close to him who spoke to The Telegraph.
The former Duke of York was arrested on February 19 on suspicion of misconduct in public office, relating to his time as a UK trade envoy between 2001 and 2011. He was later released under investigation without being charged. Emails contained in the Epstein files suggested he may have shared confidential information about his official work with convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Living 'in limbo' at Sandringham
The source told The Telegraph: 'While Andrew remains under investigation after being arrested by Thames Valley Police seven months ago, he has effectively been living in limbo. Although there are no formal conditions which prevent him from travelling while this drags on, he cannot really stray far beyond his home. He cannot live his normal life as the police investigation goes on.'
The insider added that police seem to be 'no nearer being able to prove an allegation of misconduct in a public office'. Mountbatten-Windsor has been advised to keep a low profile and has reportedly been told by royal officials that travelling abroad would be 'unwise'. He is not legally required to surrender his passport and is technically still able to travel, but he has 'barely left Sandringham' for the remainder of the year.
He moved to the Sandringham Estate at the start of the year after leaving Royal Lodge in Windsor. Friends say he is 'making the most' of his current situation and feels a sense of 'relief' now that he is out of the royal 'bubble'.
Royal family reactions
Mountbatten-Windsor has not spoken to King Charles 'for some time', though he is thought to be in touch with his siblings, Princess Anne and Prince Edward. When police arrived to arrest his younger brother on his 66th birthday, the King expressed that the authorities have his 'full and wholehearted support and cooperation', insisting the Royal Family would 'continue in [their] duty and service'. The monarch also voiced 'deepest concern' upon hearing the news, stating clearly that 'the law must take its course'.
Mountbatten-Windsor was interrogated for around 12 hours on the day of his arrest and has had no contact with Thames Valley Police since. Police enquiries are likely to continue for several more months.
Fresh legal strife
In May, biographer Andrew Lownie described Mountbatten-Windsor's reality as 'bleak' and his life as 'very empty'. He told USA Today that the former prince had been 'obsessively playing video games late into the night' and that he was 'prioritising gaming over work, health, and hygiene'.
Mountbatten-Windsor, who was stripped of his royal titles last October, faces fresh legal strife after a congressman accused him of perpetrating 'sex crimes in the United States'. At the beginning of September, Thomas Massie, a Republican representative from Kentucky, called for Mountbatten-Windsor to be 'investigated and prosecuted' in the wake of the Epstein files' revelations.
This follows existing allegations that he abused Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein's most prominent accusers, having paid her a settlement in 2022 without admitting any liability. Mountbatten-Windsor has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing or having committed sex offences. He also denied ever meeting Giuffre.
