Police searches at Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s former home of Royal Lodge are continuing on Friday, after he was released under investigation on Thursday evening.
The former prince was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office and taken to a Norfolk police station for questioning. He has consistently and strenuously denied any wrongdoing.
King Charles’s brother was released under investigation by Thames Valley Police on Thursday evening, after spending much of his 66th birthday in custody.
The former prince was pictured slumped back in a vehicle following his release from Aylsham police station. He was released under investigation, meaning he faces no restrictions and does not have to follow any conditions such as curfews or travel bans.
In keeping with normal procedures, Andrew would have had his rights read to him on arrest. Upon his arrival at the police station, a custody sergeant would have been responsible for verifying Andrew’s identity and ensuring he was in a fit state to be booked in.
Normal procedures may have been complicated by the fact Andrew was probably accompanied by royal protection officers.
However, it is likely that police took Andrew’s mugshot, fingerprints and a DNA sample, before taking him to his cell. These cells each have their own loo.
Andrew probably got two meals while he was in custody, given three meals are served in a 24-hour period. A recent inspection noted Aylsham Police Investigation Centre had more reading material than other stations.
It is not clear what legal advice Andrew would have received while being held by police. Given his arrest came out of the blue, he would have had to decide whether to seek advice from the local duty solicitor while he waited for his preferred criminal lawyer to arrive, if he has one.
Typically with arrests relating to white collar crime, people are held for a few hours to allow for searches and initial questioning. Being released under investigation does not rule out further questioning at a later date.
At some point a decision will have to be made by the Crown Prosecution Service and Thames Valley Police about whether to charge the King’s brother with misconduct in a public office.
It could be weeks before any substantial decision is made.
On Thursday morning, Thames Valley Police said that, in addition to the arrest, it was “carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk”.
Unmarked police vehicles were seen arriving at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk before Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest.
In an updated statement following Andrew’s release, Thames Valley Police said its searches in Norfolk “have now concluded”.
In recent weeks, Andrew has set up a temporary home on the estate whilst his permanent residence there, Marsh Farm, is being renovated.
Meanwhile, as of Friday morning, police searches at Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park were ongoing.
Until very recently, this sprawling property in Berkshire is where Andrew lived.
Dal Babu, a former Metropolitan Police chief superintendent, told BBC News that by arresting the King’s brother, officers will be able to “to access computer equipment, files, photographs, any other evidence”.
He said they will be able to “carry out searches of any premises he owns or occupies, or any other premises he controls, so there may well be searches in other areas as well”.
