Pictures show police vans outside Andrew’s former home in Windsor as cops were seen filling them with items from the Royal residence after he was arrested this morning
Police have combed Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s royal home on Thursday after his bombshell arrest. Pictures show unmarked police vans outside Royal Lodge in Windsor, which cops were seen filling with items as the ex-Royal remained in custody.
The vans, escorted by an unmarked police car, were seen leaving Andrew’s former home in the early afternoon. Cops are said to have arrived at around 8am, the time he was arrested at his temporary home at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.
Officers are said to have carried out inquiries at the secluded 19th century Grade II-listed mansion, nestled in 98 acres of private land, where Andrew lived for decades before finally giving it up last year.
Andrew was arrested on his 66th birthday on suspicion of misconduct in public office over his ties to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. He is accused of sharing sensitive information with Epstein while serving as the UK’s trade envoy.
And his bombshell arrest – which made him the first senior royal in modern history to be nicked – left Royal fans stunned. Windsor resident Matthew Aiello, 63, said the King was right to eject Andrew from the royal family.
He told the Express: “What more could the King do? Charles took those titles away. Now we have to see, you know, what comes out.”
Another local, 82-year-old Terry Barnett said it was “bizarre” to see the lodge uninhabited, adding: “Edward lives not far away and of course William and Kate have moved in quite close by so it maintains royal residences but very surprising to see this all unfold under a period of time.”
Mark Ward, 41, from Shropshire, said the arrest had felt “a long time coming”. He went on: “It’s a good thing he’s being treated like anyone else, like the rest of us.
“It’s hard to say how it’ll impact the royal family, they can’t hide because they’re such public figures. But the world is changing every day – modern times have already made their role so different.”
The Palace were not informed of the arrest before cops swooped this morning, it is understood. Thames Valley Police were also searching other royal residences in Windsor and Norfolk.
Assistant chief constable Oliver Wright said: “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 offence. We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time.”
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