Epstein Files Fallout: King Charles III’s brother Andrew 'released under investigation'

Britain's Prince Andrew, left, and Britain's King Charles III. (AP Photo/File)

British police said late Thursday that Prince Andrew has been released under investigation after being arrested and questioned for several hours on suspicion of misconduct in public office during his tenure as a trade envoy.

In a brief statement, Thames Valley Police confirmed: "On Thursday we arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The arrested man has now been released under investigation."

The force added that searches conducted in Norfolk have concluded, an apparent reference to operations at his residence on Sandringham Estate, the country retreat of King Charles III in eastern England. However, inquiries are understood to be continuing at Andrew's former home on the Windsor estate in Berkshire.

Andrew, who turned 66 on Thursday, has previously denied any wrongdoing in connection with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. He has not responded to requests for comment regarding allegations linked to the release of millions of Epstein-related files in January.

Thames Valley Police said it will not be issuing further updates at this stage.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump called the arrest of former British prince Andrew in connection to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal "very sad" on Thursday. "I think it's a shame. I think it's very sad. I think it's so bad for the royal family. It's very, very sad," Trump told reporters on Air Force One.

(With inputs from AFP)