Police have officially concluded their searches at the former residence of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the ex-prince who was stripped of his royal titles last year. The searches, which took place at the sprawling Royal Lodge in Windsor, Berkshire, ended yesterday evening, according to a police update.
Arrest and Allegations
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in a public office. He has been accused of sharing sensitive information with the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein during his tenure as a trade envoy. Andrew has consistently denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright stated, 'Officers have now left the location we have been searching in Berkshire. This concludes the search activity that commenced following our arrest of a man in his sixties from Norfolk on Thursday.'
Ongoing Investigation
The police emphasized that the investigation remains active and ongoing. Wright added, 'We understand the significant public interest in this case and our investigation remains ongoing. It is important that our investigators are given the time and space to progress their work. We will provide updates when it is appropriate to do so, but this is unlikely to be for some time.'
This development follows the recent arrest and subsequent bail of Peter Mandelson on suspicion of the same offence, highlighting the broader scope of the probe.
Search Locations and Royal Context
In addition to the Royal Lodge, police also conducted searches at Wood Farm in Norfolk. Wood Farm is a cottage located on the privately owned 20,000-acre Sandringham Estate, which is the country retreat of King Charles. The searches coincided with Andrew's 66th birthday, which he spent in police custody.
King Charles has publicly expressed his support for a 'full, fair and proper process' regarding the investigation into his brother. He stated, 'Let me state clearly: The law must take its course.'
Line of Succession Implications
Despite being stripped of his royal titles, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor remains eighth in line to the throne. Removing him from the line of succession would require an Act of Parliament. The government is currently considering introducing legislation to strip him of his place in the succession, reflecting the serious nature of the allegations.
While there is no realistic prospect of Andrew becoming king, this legal and constitutional aspect adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing case.
