As Andrew was arrested on the Sandringham Estate, William and Kate were nearby while and other royals carried on with public engagements
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NEED TO KNOW
- Kate Middleton and Prince William were on the Sandringham Estate when former Prince Andrew was arrested on Feb. 19
- Prince William’s uncle was detained on suspicion of misconduct in public office and spent about 11 hours in custody before being released
- Andrew was arrested at Wood Farm, which is around six miles from the Prince and Princess of Wales’ country home, Anmer Hall
The arrest of former Prince Andrew sent ripples through the royal family on Thursday — including on the Sandringham Estate itself.
On the morning of Feb. 19, his 66th birthday, the former Duke of York was arrested at Wood Farm on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He was detained at the residence where he is currently staying while renovations continue on another Sandringham property earmarked as his permanent home.
Nearby, Kate Middleton and Prince William were also on the Sandringham Estate that day, spending time at their country home just six miles away.
The Prince and Princess of Wales were at their Anmer Hall home on the morning of Andrew's arrest. Their children — Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7 — are currently on a half-term school break, and the family is known to spend school holidays in Norfolk.
Prince William, 43, and Princess Kate, 44, had no public engagements scheduled on Thursday, as they typically scale back duties during their children’s school breaks.
Other senior royals, however, carried on with scheduled appearances despite Andrew’s arrest.
Queen Camilla, 78, attended a concert and met with musicians in London, while King Charles, 77, held audiences and made an appearance at London Fashion Week. Princess Anne, 75, also carried out a planned engagement, visiting a men’s prison.
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Roughly a 12-minute drive from William and Kate’s home on the Sandringham Estate, Andrew was arrested there on Thursday. King Charles' brother was detained on suspicion of misconduct in public office, as authorities investigate a claim that he shared confidential information with the late Jeffrey Epstein while serving as a trade envoy for the U.K. in the 2000s. He was released after spending about 11 hours in custody.
Andrew's links to the American financier and convicted sex offender set his step back from royal life in motion in 2019. He has continuously denied any wrongdoing regarding their relationship.
PEOPLE understands that Buckingham Palace was unaware of Andrew's arrest in advance, and King Charles issued a statement soon after pledging that the palace would cooperate in the investigation.
"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," began the statement, issued by Buckingham Palace.
"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," it continued. "Charles R."
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The Prince and Princess of Wales are not expected to make a statement of their own but support the King's position, PEOPLE also understands.
On Feb. 9, a spokesperson for Prince William and Princess Kate said the couple has been "deeply concerned" about the ongoing revelations about convicted sex offender Epstein. “Their thoughts remain focused on the victims," the spokesperson said.
The allegation that Andrew shared confidential information with Epstein came to light in correspondence unveiled in the latest tranche of Epstein files released by the U.S. Department of Justice on Jan. 30.
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