The arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, has intensified calls from U.S. lawmakers for legal action against American associates of Jeffrey Epstein.
Mountbatten-Windsor was taken into custody on Thursday, Feb. 19, in the United Kingdom amid allegations of misconduct in public office. The arrest has renewed demands from American politicians and Epstein survivors to pursue accountability for others connected to the late convicted sex offender.
Previously, Mountbatten-Windsor faced allegations of sexual assault brought by Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre. That lawsuit was settled out of court for an undisclosed amount. Giuffre died by suicide on April 24, 2025.
Authorities have clarified that the recent arrest is unrelated to the settled civil case. Instead, it stems from accusations that Mountbatten-Windsor shared confidential information with Epstein during his tenure as a UK trade envoy. He has not been formally charged and continues to deny wrongdoing.
Following approximately 11 hours of detention, Mountbatten-Windsor was released under investigation. Police continued searches connected to the inquiry, including activity at Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park.
Reacting to the developments, Giuffre’s brother, Skye Roberts, praised British authorities while criticizing the U.S. response.
“The reality is the UK is doing far more,” Roberts said. “While here in the United States, our president has yet to even do remotely the same. Survivors and the public are very disappointed.”
President Donald Trump was questioned by reporters aboard Air Force One regarding whether American associates of Epstein might face similar consequences. Evidence and records linked to Epstein have referenced several high-profile figures, including Bill Clinton, Woody Allen, Bill Gates, Kevin Spacey, Elon Musk, and Trump himself. None have been formally accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein’s crimes.
Trump declined to address the prospect of prosecutions, describing Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest as “a shame” and “very sad.”
“I’m the expert in a way, because I’ve been totally exonerated,” Trump said. “I think it’s very sad. It’s so bad for the royal family.”
The arrest also prompted reactions from lawmakers advocating greater transparency.
Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky, co-sponsor of legislation aimed at compelling the Department of Justice to release Epstein-related records, urged U.S. officials to act.
“Prince Andrew was just arrested,” Massie wrote on X. “Now we need justice in the United States. It’s time for the Attorney General and FBI Director to act.”
Representative Robert Garcia, ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, echoed those sentiments.
“Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest is an enormous step forward in securing justice for Epstein’s survivors,” Garcia stated. “Now it is time for the United States to end this cover-up.”
Epstein survivors also welcomed the British authorities’ actions.
Maria Farmer, the first known survivor to report Epstein, described the arrest as “just the beginning of accountability.”
“Today marks the start of justice brought forth by Virginia Roberts Giuffre,” Farmer said. “Let’s now demand that all the dominos of power and corruption begin to fall.”
Survivor Marijke Chartouni expressed similar views, contrasting the UK’s response with that of American agencies.
“If only the U.S. Justice Department acted as decisively,” Chartouni said. “British police moved swiftly, making U.S. officials appear increasingly ineffective.”
