To no one's surprise, the top story of Friday's papers is the arrest of the former prince.

Almost all the front pages feature the image of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor slouched in the back of the car while leaving police custody on Thursday evening.

The Daily Mirror, the Daily Express, and the Guardian all quote the King's words over the image: "the law must take its course".

You can read our full rundown of the papers here.

It's typical of people who are arrested for white collar crimes to be released after a short period of time, so it's not surprising that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has arrived back to the Sandringham estate.

But he remains under police investigation, according to the latest statement from Thames Valley Police. Being released under investigation means he isn't on bail, so he isn't subject to certain conditions.

He can be rearrested or asked to go for further interviews however.

Now it's a waiting game to see whether or not the Crown Prosecution Service and the police think there's enough evidence to charge him with a crime. In this case, that would be misconduct in public office.

There's no time limit for when charges can be brought, and something of this magnitude could take a while.

Tabby Wilson
Live reporter

Image source, Reuters

Good morning - we are resuming our live coverage following the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

Detectives will today continue their searches of Royal Lodge, Andrew's former home in Berkshire.

This follows his release under investigation last night.

The former prince and his family lived at Royal Lodge until a few weeks ago, when he moved into a temporary home on the Sandringham Estate.

Yesterday, Andrew became the first senior member of the Royal Family to be arrested in almost four centuries, after he was detained on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

Mountbatten-Windsor has previously denied wrongdoing in relation to Epstein, and has not responded to the BBC's requests for comment on any of the specific allegations prompted by the release of the Epstein files last month.

You can read everything we know so far about Andrew's arrest here, or follow along with our live coverage as we bring you the latest developments.

Tara Mewawalla
Live reporter

Police have released Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office this morning.

A short time ago, the former prince was photographed returning to Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, after he was seen leaving leaving Aylsham police station. Thames Valley Police said in a statement he had been released under investigation.

After the BBC broke the news of Andrew's arrest, the force issued a statement this morning saying they had taken a man in his 60s into custody and properties in Berkshire and Norfolk were being searched.

Though police have not said, the BBC understands the arrest is in relation to activity during his time as a trade envoy, and follows reporting on documents released by the US justice department in relation to its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.

Andrew has previously denied wrongdoing in relation to Epstein; he has not responded to the BBC’s requests for comment on any of the specific allegations in relation to the release of millions of Epstein files in January.

Andrew's brother, King Charles, said "the law must take its course" and that the authorities have “our full and wholehearted” co-operation.

US President Donald Trump also reacted, describing the situation as "very sad", while a Democratic congressman told the BBC the developments were being watched closely in America.

We are pausing our live coverage now but you can read more on today's developments below:

• Andrew released under investigation after arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office
• Shell-shocked, haunted photo of Andrew will be part of how arrest is remembered
• Watch: The day Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested

Helena Humphrey
Washington correspondent

This all may be happening in the UK, but one congressman told me today it is being watched closely here in Washington.

Democratic Congressman Suhas Subramanyam, who pushed for the release of the Epstein files, told the BBC that he thinks that in the UK "they’re starting to see real accountability for people like Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor".

"But in the US, there’s a lack of accountability," Subramanyam said.

He told me that although there are some consequences for those who appear in the Epstein files in the US, these tend to play out in a “court of public opinion” rather than through formal investigations.

The King's brother cannot be legally compelled to give testimony in the US.

But Representative Subramanyam said Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest "should increase the pressure" for him to cooperate, adding that there are still numerous unanswered questions.

He said, "our door is open and we will talk to him on his terms. I will fly out to the UK if I have to".

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has always denied allegations of wrongdoing related to Epstein.

Being named in the Epstein files is not indicative of wrongdoing.

Image source, Ian Druce/BBC

We've been bringing you the developments over the day following Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest. Here's how it unfolded:

• Unmarked police cars were spotted at Sandringham Estate this morning, where he has been living
• At 10:00 GMT, the BBC broke the news that Andrew had been arrested by Thames Valley Police
• The police force then released a statement, that at "approximately 8am", they had "arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office"
• Police then turned up at the Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park where Andrew lived until recently, and the Sandringham estate. They said searches were being carried out in Berkshire and Norfolk.
• At about 19:00 GMT Andrew was photographed in the back seat of a car leaving Aylsham police station. Police said in a statement he had been released under investigation, and the search in Norfolk had ended
• A short time later, we saw a picture of him arriving back at Sandringham

Image source, PA Media

Image source, Getty Images

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been photographed returning to Sandringham tonight, many hours he was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

As we reported earlier Andrew was seen leaving Aylsham police investigation centre in the back seat of a vehicle at around 19:00 GMT, with police saying he'd been released.

Sean Coughlan
Royal correspondent

Andrew has been stripped of many of his royal titles, but he has kept his place as 8th in line of succession to the throne.

This could be taken away, but it would mean legislation by Parliament.

It would also require the support of all the Commonwealth countries that have King Charles as their head of state, as it would also affect their lines of succession too.

So it wouldn't be a simple process - and there's an argument that in practice it would make little difference, with so many other younger royals in line ahead of him.

He also technically remains a counsellor of state, who could stand in for a monarch who is ill or overseas.

In practice, only working royals are called upon to carry out those duties, but in theory Andrew still holds that status.

Andrew’s arrest a ‘catch your breath moment’published at 21:13 GMT 19 February

21:13 GMT 19 February

Sean Coughlan
Royal correspondent

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is the first senior member of the Royal Family in modern history to have been arrested.

The events are made even more dramatic by the unprecedented statement from his brother, King Charles. "Let me state clearly: the law must take its course," says the unambiguous statement from the King, offering no hiding place or protection.

Andrew’s links to Epstein is a story decades in the making, and his downfall began with the gradual chipping away of his reputation before turning into an avalanche of disgrace.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied any wrongdoing in his associations with Epstein.

What makes his arrest resonate further is that it happened on Andrew’s 66th birthday. A year ago, he celebrated as Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, Earl of Inverness and Knight of the Garter.

Who knows what will have changed by his next birthday. Read Sean’s full piece here.

Earlier, we reported that the Home Office was given advance notice of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest.

We've now had an update on this from the National Police Chiefs' Council, who says: "In line with routine practice, the National Police Chiefs’ Council alerted operational colleagues within the Home Office of the arrest.

"This gave 30 minutes' notice before Thames Valley Police made the arrest."

Bernd Debusmann Jr
White House reporter

Image source, Reuters

We've just heard from the journalists who form part of the travel pool for US President Donald Trump's trip to Georgia today.

According to a print journalist travelling with the President, Trump briefly commented on the Andrew case, saying he believes 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," he said. "To me, it’s a very sad thing.

Trump also briefly mentioned King Charles, who is "obviously coming to our country very soon."

"He's a fantastic man, [the] King," he said.

The president made similar remarks in November, saying that he felt "badly" for the Royal family after Andrew was stripped of his title.

Turning to the US, Trump added that "it's really interesting because nobody used to speak about Epstein when he was alive, but now they speak."

"But I'm the one that can talk about it because [I have] been totally exonerated. I did nothing," Trump said.

Noor Nanji
Royal correspondent at Sandringham

The cameras are poised outside Andrew's home, Wood Farm, in anticipation that the former Prince will shortly arrive here.

We've had a number of false alarms already... but he could arrive any moment.

I've been here since lunchtime - the media presence has been growing steadily here over the day and shows no sign of trickling away.

“He looked dazed, he looked shell-shocked, he was slouching down,” says the former press secretary to his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

The photo reminds people of his "extraordinary fall from grace", Ailsa Anderson tells BBC News.

Today's events will leave the Royal Family feeling "bruised" and "shattered", she adds.

Anderson was also asked about King Charles's statement following his brother's arrest - and whether Charles has done things differently to his late mother.

She praises the "swiftness" of King Charles's response but says the late Queen "wasn't in possession of the facts that the King is today," referencing the recent publication of the Epstein files.

Thames Valley Police has provided an update following Andrew leaving a police station following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

In a statement the force says: "Thames Valley Police is able to provide an update in relation to an investigation into the offence of misconduct in public office.

"On Thursday we arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

"The arrested man has now been released under investigation.

"We can also confirm that our searches in Norfolk have now concluded."

It is understood that police searches in Berkshire are still underway.

Thames Valley Police says it will not be making any further statements at this time.

We're just getting an update from Thames Valley Police.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been released under investigation following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

Matt Precey
BBC Look East

A black Range Rover arrived at Aylsham police investigation centre at approximately 1850 this evening.

It tried to get in via an electronic gate but was unable to do so as the gate was broken.

It went in via another gate after waiting 10 minutes.

Five minutes later a large garage door in the building opened and two cars could be seen, including the Range Rover.

It drove past the waiting reporters. A photographer was able to take a picture of Andrew trying to lie down on the back seat.

Andrew has been pictured leaving a police station in the back seat of a car.

More to follow.

Image source, Reuters

Maria Farmer, the first known survivor to report Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell to law enforcement, has issued a statement in response to Andrew's arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

“Today is just the beginning of accountability and justice brought forth by Virginia Roberts Giuffre — a young mother who adored her daughter so deeply, she fought the most powerful on earth to protect her," she said.

"She did this for everyone’s daughters. Let’s now demand all the dominos of power and corruption begin to fall.”

Newsnight

More now from Virginia Giuffre's brother and sister-in-law, who spoke to the BBC's Newsnight today.

Giuffre previously alleged Mountbatten-Windsor had sex with her three times as a teenager. The former prince has always denied the claim and reached an out-of-court settlement with Giuffre in 2022.

Giuffre's brother Sky Roberts told Newsnight he would "continue to commend" the King "for the actions he's taken".

"It doesn't matter your wealth or your power, you don't have a separate set of laws that applies to you... I think we're seeing that in the UK right now," Sky said.

King Charles III removed his brother's title last year and earlier said in a statement, "the law must take its course".

Andrew has previously denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein and has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, not sexual offences. He has not responded to the BBC’s requests for comment on the specific allegations in relation to the release of millions of Epstein files in January.

You can watch the interview on BBC Two at 22:30 tonight or on BBC iPlayer.

Virginia Giuffre's brother and sister-in-law have told the BBC's Newsnight they "celebrated" upon hearing that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor had been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

Giuffre, who died in 2025 and was a prominent accuser of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, previously alleged Mountbatten-Windsor had sex with her three times as a teenager.

Mountbatten-Windsor has always denied the claim and reached an out-of-court settlement with Giuffre in 2022. It contained no admission of liability or apology.

Amanda Roberts, who is married to Giuffre's brother Sky Roberts, told the BBC: "We are hopeful that this investigation now starts to open up that further probe into the sexual assault allegations... it is still a win."

As reminder, neither Thames Valley Police nor any other police forces have said that Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest relates to allegations of sexual abuse. He was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

Image source, EPA