British police arrested Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former prince and younger brother of King Charles III, on suspicion of misconduct in public life, multiple news sources reported early on Feb. 19.
Mountbatten-Windsor was taken into custody by Thames Valley Police. Details have not been disclosed, but the BBC reported police were reviewing a complaint that confidential material was shared by Mountbatten-Windsor with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He has not been charged.
The former prince has denied any wrongdoing with Epstein and has said he regrets the friendship.
The arrest is unusual because Mountbatten-Windsor is the first senior royal to be arrested in modern history. (The last was King Charles I, almost 400 years ago.) Reigning monarchs have immunity from arrest and criminal prosecution, but other members of the Royal Family do not.
Here’s a look at past police encounters with members of the Royal Family, including one with Mountbatten-Windsor in 2002:
2019 | Prince Philip
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, crashed his Land Rover into another car near Sandringham. Two women were injured. The Crown Prosecution Service declined to prosecute after he surrendered his license.
Can’t see our graphics? Click here to reload the page.
2002 | Princess Anne
An English bull terrier owned by Princess Anne (also known as the Princess Royal) injured two young boys in Windsor Great Park. She was not arrested but was formally charged. She pleaded guilty under the Dangerous Dogs Act and paid 500 British pounds ($672) in fines and 250 British pounds ($336) in compensation.
2002 | Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former prince and former Duke of York, was stopped by traffic police near Heathrow Airport in London for driving 60 mph in a 40 mph zone. An officer spoke to the occupants, but no action was taken.
2002 | Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, and younger son of King Charles III, was questioned by Wiltshire Police in 2002 following reports of underage drinking and cannabis use. He was not arrested or charged.
1986 | Sarah Ferguson
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, ex-wife of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, and Princess Diana (who died in a car crash in 1997) dressed up as policewomen for Ferguson’s bachelorette party before her marriage to Andrew. Police arrested them briefly for impersonating police officers.
Who was the last member of the Royal Family to be arrested?
The arrest of Mountbatten-Windsor is the first of a senior British royal in modern times. The last was King Charles I, who was tried and executed in 1649 for high treason and tyranny.
CONTRIBUTING Kim Hjelmgaard and Taijuan Moorman
SOURCE USA TODAY Network reporting and research; Reuters
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.usatoday.com ’
