OSLO — Prince Andrew, the younger brother of King Charles, handed back his Order of St. Olav on Thursday, according to a spokesperson for Norway’s royal palace.

The prestigious award, Norway’s top peacetime distinction for distinguished service, was conferred on Andrew in 1988 when he held the title of prince. Palace officials in Oslo stated simply that “Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has chosen to return his order.” They offered no further details, citing confidentiality rules on such honors.

The announcement comes amid fresh legal troubles for Andrew. BBC News reported Thursday that authorities arrested him on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Prosecutors allege he passed confidential government documents to Jeffrey Epstein, the late financier at the center of a global sex-trafficking scandal.

Andrew’s ties to Epstein have long shadowed his place in Britain’s royal family. King Charles stripped his brother of the prince title last year and evicted him from Royal Lodge, his longtime home on the Windsor estate. The moves aimed to sever lingering connections to the scandal that also prompted Andrew to settle a U.S. civil lawsuit in 2022.

Norway’s King Harald shares distant royal lineage with Andrew and Charles through Queen Victoria, the 19th-century British monarch whose descendants populate Europe’s thrones. Harald, 87, heads a house that has bestowed the Order of St. Olav on figures from diplomats to artists since 1847.

Recipients typically keep the honor for life unless revoked for grave misconduct. The palace’s terse statement left observers speculating on Andrew’s motivations. Some Norwegian media outlets linked the return directly to his arrest, though officials avoided any such comment.

Andrew, 64, stepped back from public duties in 2019 after a disastrous BBC interview about Epstein. He has kept a low profile since, residing at the smaller Frogmore Cottage on the Windsor grounds under his brother’s directive.

The Order of St. Olav carries a red-and-white grand cross insignia worn on formal occasions. Past holders include British royals like Queen Elizabeth II and wartime hero Raoul Wallenberg. Andrew’s relinquishment marks a rare voluntary surrender.

Norwegian palace staff emphasized that decisions on awards remain private. “We do not discuss individual cases,” the spokesperson added when pressed for more information.

Andrew’s arrest unfolded in London, where he surrendered to police for questioning. No charges have been filed yet, and his legal team has not commented publicly.