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:
