Ex-Prince Andrew hands back prestigious award after arrest

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Prince Andrew, has given back a royal Norwegian order that he received almost four decades ago, Norway’s royal palace said.

The Order of St. Olav, which is Norway’s most prestigious peacetime award and is conferred “as a reward for distinguished services rendered to Norway and mankind,” was bestowed on then-Prince Andrew in 1988.

Mountbatten-Windsor “has chosen to return his order,” a palace spokesperson told Newsweek via email. The spokesperson declined to comment on why the order was returned.

The Context 

Mountbatten-Windsor, the younger brother of King Charles III and second son of the late Queen Elizabeth II, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office. It followed allegations against him in the wake of the latest release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein by the U.S. Justice Department.

The arrest follows years of scrutiny over Mountbatten-Windsor’s links with Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied any wrongdoing in his association with Epstein.

King Charles III last year stripped Mountbatten-Windsor of the title of prince and honors and ordered him to move out of a royal residence close to Windsor Castle, Berkshire, England, in a bid to distance him from the royal family over his links to the Epstein scandal. Queen Elizabeth II forced him to give up royal duties and end his charitable work in 2019 after he tried to explain away his friendship with Epstein during a disastrous interview on the BBC’s Newsnight program.

What To Know 

Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested at the king’s private estate in Sandringham, Norfolk, where he is currently living, on Thursday, his 66th birthday.

Thames Valley Police confirmed a man in his 60s from Norfolk had been arrested, but did not identify the suspect, in line with standard procedures in Britain.

After the arrest Thursday, King Charles III said that the law must take its course in the investigation as he further sought to distance the royal family from his brother.

Thames Valley Police had previously said it was assessing reports that Mountbatten-Windsor sent confidential trade reports to Epstein in 2010, when the former prince was Britain’s special envoy for international trade.

Specifically, emails released as part of the Epstein files appeared to show Mountbatten-Windsor sharing reports of official visits to Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore.

The allegations being investigated are separate from those made by Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s victims. She alleged she was trafficked to Britain to have sex with the former prince in 2001, when she was just 17. Giuffre died by suicide in 2025.

A second woman last month alleged she was sent to the U.K by Epstein for a sexual encounter with Mountbatten-Windsor. The woman’s attorney, Brad Edwards, told the BBC that the encounter occurred at the former prince’s Windsor residence in 2010.

Mountbatten-Windsor has always denied any wrongdoing.

What People Are Saying 

A spokesperson for Norway’s royal palace said in an emailed statement to Newsweek: “We can confirm that if there is no entry registered for the individual concerned, then he is not a holder of The Order of St Olav. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has, in this case, chosen to return his decoration. As a general rule, we do not comment on case processing in matters relating to orders and medals.”

King Charles III said in a statement on Thursday: “I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office. What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities. In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation.

“Let me state clearly: the law must take its course. As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.”

President Donald Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Thursday that Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest is “a very sad thing.” Trump said: “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. To me, it’s a very sad thing.”

Thames Valley Police Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said in a statement on Thursday: “Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office. It is important that we protect the integrity and objectivity of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged offense. We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time.”

What Happens Next

Mountbatten-Windsor was released around 11 hours after he was detained with no charge, but he remains under investigation. He was photographed in a car leaving the police station near the Sandringham estate.

The U.K.’s Crown Prosecution Service will ultimately make a decision about charging him.

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