KEY POINTS
- Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (formerly Prince Andrew) was arrested on February 19, 2026—his 66th birthday—on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
- The arrest is linked to allegations that he shared confidential UK government trade information with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein while serving as a trade envoy.
- After nearly 12 hours in custody at Aylsham police station, he was released under investigation and returned to his residence at Sandringham.
The British monarchy was thrust into a state of unprecedented crisis this week as police arrested Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor at his home on the Sandringham estate. The arrest, executed by Thames Valley Police, follows the release of millions of documents from the “Epstein files” by the U.S. Department of Justice. These documents reportedly contain emails showing that Andrew forwarded sensitive investment briefs and official reports on foreign visits to Epstein during his tenure as a UK special trade representative between 2001 and 2011.
King Charles III responded swiftly to the news, breaking with the tradition of royal silence on legal matters. In a formal statement issued shortly after the arrest, the King declared that “the law must take its course” and offered the police his “full and wholehearted support.” This move further cements the King’s ongoing effort to distance the royal family from his younger brother, whom he stripped of his “Prince” title and royal honors in late 2025.
While the arrest took place in Norfolk, significant police activity continued at Royal Lodge in Windsor, Andrew’s former residence of 20 years. Search teams, including specialized vans for transporting fine art and technology, were seen entering and leaving the 30-room property throughout Thursday and Friday. Investigators are reportedly looking for electronic devices, including computers and phones, that may contain further evidence of his communications with Epstein.
The charge of misconduct in public office is a serious one, technically carrying a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Unlike previous allegations involving Virginia Giuffre—which were civil in nature—this investigation focuses specifically on whether Andrew abused his official government position for the benefit of a private individual. Although he has been released from custody, he remains a subject of active investigation, meaning he has neither been charged nor exonerated.
The political fallout is already intensifying. Members of the British government are reportedly considering new legislation to formally remove Andrew from the line of succession, where he currently sits at eighth. While Buckingham Palace continues its daily operations, royal historians describe this as the most “shocking day for the British crown” in modern history, marking the first time a senior royal has been arrested in nearly four centuries.
