Searches of former Prince Andrew's Royal Lodge are complete - police

Searches into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's Royal Lodge have been completed, police have confirmed.

The probe took place after the former prince was sensationally arrested on Thursday on his 66th birthday and taken to Aylsham police station, where he was questioned for 11 hours.

He is accused of sharing sensitive information with the late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein during his time as UK's special representative for international trade and investment. 

Police carried out searches of Wood Farm and of his seven-bedroom mansion Royal Lodge as part of the investigation.

In a statement on Thursday evening, Thames Valley Police said 'searches in Berkshire in connection to its investigation into the offence of misconduct in public office have now ended.'

Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright added: 'Officers have now left the location we have been searching in Berkshire. 

'This concludes the search activity that commenced following our arrest of a man in his sixties from Norfolk on Thursday.

'We understand the significant public interest in this case and our investigation remains ongoing.

'It is important that our investigators are given the time and space to progress their work. We will provide updates when it is appropriate to do so, but this is unlikely to be for some time.' 

The former Duke of York's arrest came after Thames Valley Police said it was 'assessing' reports that Andrew shared confidential trade reports and investment opportunities to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2010 and 2011 when he was the UK's special trade envoy in Asia. 

Andrew, who is eighth in line to the throne, was questioned for 11 hours straight following his arrest and was pictured slumped in a Range Rover on his way out of Aylsham Police Investigation Centre.

He was taken from Wood Farm on the royal Sandringham estate in Norfolk where he was placed after he was evicted from his Windsor residence Royal Lodge by King Charles earlier this month.

Andrew's brother King Charles was not given any prior warning of the arrest, although the Daily Mail revealed Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's team was informed by a senior officer early on Thursday.

The monarch said in an unprecedented statement that 'the law must take its course' after expressing his 'deepest concern' after his younger brother was held on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

Charles said: '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. 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.'

Detectives have been probing Andrew's conduct as a trade envoy for the UK, after emails in the Epstein Files suggested he may have shared confidential information with his paedophile friend, including reports of his official visits and potential investment opportunities.

After serving for 22 years in the Royal Navy, he became the UK's special representative for international trade and investment in 2001.

He stepped down in 2011 amid the furore over his friendship with Epstein.

Despite being stripped of his title last year, the former duke of York is still eighth in line to the throne, and an Act of Parliament would be required to remove Andrew and prevent him from ever becoming king. 

The UK Government is expected to consider introducing such legislation once police have finished their investigation into the King's disgraced brother. 

Following Andrew's arrest, ex-US ambassador Peter Mandelson was also detained on suspicion of misconduct in public office yesterday before being released on bail.