Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is believed to be living ‘in limbo’ at his home in Norfolk following his arrest.
On February 19, the former Duke was detained on suspicion of misconduct in public office, allegations relating to his time as a UK trade envoy between 2001 and 2011, a role ultimately terminated over mounting controversy surrounding his connection to associates like Jeffrey Epstein.
He was later released under investigation without being charged, as emails that were part of the Epstein files suggested he may have shared confidential information with the convicted child sex offender about his official work.
It’s understood that the ex-Duke of York has been advised to keep a low profile as the probe continues.
As a result, he reportedly feels like he’s ‘in limbo’ at the Sandringham Estate, having moved to the property upon leaving Royal Lodge in Windsor at the start of the year.
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He was not legally required to surrender his passport and is, technically, still able to travel abroad; however, he has been advised not to by royal officials, who believe such a move would be ‘unwise’.
A source close to Mountbatten-Windsor told The Telegraph: ‘While Andrew remains under investigation after being arrested by Thames Valley Police seven months ago, he has effectively been living in limbo.
‘Although there are no formal conditions which prevent him from travelling while this drags on, he cannot really stray far beyond his home.
‘He cannot live his normal life as the police investigation goes on.’
The insider added that, in the meantime, police seem to be ‘no nearer being able to prove an allegation of misconduct in a public office’.
Mountbatten-Windsor is thought to be ‘making the most’ of his current situation, according to friends, as he focuses on his new life in Norfolk.
It’s believed he also feels a sense of ‘relief’ now that he’s out of the royal ‘bubble’.
Police enquiries are likely to continue for several more months.
For now, Mountbatten-Windsor is keeping his social circle small, and while he is thought to be in touch with his other siblings, Princess Anne and Prince Edward, he has not spoken to King Charles ‘for some time’.
When police came knocking for his younger brother (on his 66th birthday), the King later expressed that the authorities have his ‘full and wholehearted support and cooperation’, insisting the Royal Family would ‘continue in [their] duty and service’.
The monarch also voiced ‘deepest concern’ upon hearing the news, stating clearly that ‘the law must take its course’.
Mountbatten-Windsor was interrogated for around 12 hours that day, and he has had no contact with Thames Valley Police since.
He has also ‘barely left Sandringham’ for the remainder of the year, having denied previous claims that he had holidayed in the south of France, a stark contrast to the jet-setting lifestyle he once enjoyed.
In May, biographer Andrew Lownie described Mountbatten-Windsor’s reality as ‘bleak’ and his life as ‘very empty’.
He told USA Today that the former prince had been ‘obsessively playing video games late into the night’ and that he was ‘prioritising gaming over work, health, and hygiene’.
Meanwhile, Mountbatten-Windsor, who was stripped of his royal titles last October, faces fresh legal strife, as a congressman accused him of perpetrating ‘sex crimes in the United States’.
At the beginning of September, Thomas Massie, a Republican representative from Kentucky, called for Mountbatten-Windsor to be ‘investigated and prosecuted’ in the wake of the Epstein files’ revelations.
This follows existing allegations that he abused Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s most prominent accusers, having paid her a settlement in 2022 without admitting any liability.
Mountbatten-Windsor has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing or having committed sex offences. He also denied ever meeting Giuffre.
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