LONDON: Prince Andrew younger brother of King Charles was arrested on Thursday his 66th birthday on suspicion of misconduct in public office related to allegations that he shared confidential government documents with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. He was released under investigation after more than 10 hours in custody with no charges filed.

Thames Valley Police have since searched Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate where Andrew currently resides as well as his former mansion in Windsor. The investigation is examining potential forwarding of sensitive UK government reports during his tenure as a trade envoy and could take months requiring coordination with government officials and Buckingham Palace.

The arrest has garnered global attention with newspapers worldwide publishing images of a visibly shaken Andrew leaving the police station. The former prince is eighth in line to the throne making his arrest unprecedented in modern British history the last royal arrested in Britain was Charles I in 1649.

King Charles who removed Andrew’s title of prince last year stressed that the law must take its course. In addition to the misconduct investigation police are reviewing other allegations including claims of sex trafficking linked to Epstein associates. Andrew previously settled a US civil lawsuit brought by Virginia Giuffre denying any wrongdoing.