Prince William and Princess Kate are speaking out following police reportedly arresting the former Prince Andrew.
British police arrested Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on Thursday, Feb. 19, on suspicion of misconduct in public life, according to multiple news outlets in the United Kingdom; the BBC was the first to report the development.
The former royal has faced intense scrutiny over his friendship with the late convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. Mountbatten-Windsor, 66, has denied any wrongdoing and said he regrets the friendship. He has not responded to requests for comment following the latest Epstein files published by the U.S. Justice Department.
Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.
After the disgraced royal's arrest, Mountbatten-Windsor's brother − and Prince William's father − King Charles III released a statement showing support for the police's investigation.
"I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office," the king said.
"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," Charles continued. "In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and cooperation. Let me state clearly: the law must take its course."
Prince William and Princess Kate support the king's statement, USA TODAY understands.
No public comments have been made by William and Kate on the former prince's legal troubles.
Prince William and Princess Kate's acknowledgment of Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest comes less than two weeks after the royal couple broke their silence on the Epstein files' release in a statement from Kensington Palace.
"I can confirm the prince and princess have been deeply concerned by the continuing revelations," a palace spokesperson said. "Their thoughts remain focused on the victims."
Prince William has also come under scrutiny amid his uncle's growing scandal.
On Feb. 11, William's Earthshot Prize charity, an environmental philanthropy organization, became the subject of a new complaint by Republic, an anti-monarchy advocacy group, after one of its business partners, former DP World CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, was accused of having ties to the convicted sex offender.
Contributing: Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Prince William, Princess Kate support King Charles amid Andrew arrest
