London – Former Prince Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested on Thursday, February 19, 2026, on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The arrest, confirmed by Thames Valley Police, follows scrutiny over the former prince’s relationship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and recent revelations contained within released files.
According to a statement from Thames Valley Police, a man in his sixties from Norfolk was taken into custody earlier today. Searches were conducted at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk as part of the investigation. The man has since been released under investigation, meaning he has neither been charged nor exonerated.
The arrest caps years of increasing pressure on Mountbatten-Windsor, the brother of King Charles III and second son of the late Queen Elizabeth II, regarding his association with Epstein. The investigation centers on allegations that the former prince shared confidential government information with Epstein when serving as a British trade envoy.
King Charles III responded to the news with a statement expressing his “deepest concern” and affirming the royal family’s “full and wholehearted support and co-operation” with the ongoing legal process. He emphasized the importance of a “full, fair and proper process” to investigate the matter.
The timing of the arrest, coinciding with Mountbatten-Windsor’s 66th birthday, adds another layer of complexity to the situation. It follows weeks of revelations stemming from the latest release of Epstein files by the U.S. Justice Department, which prompted Thames Valley Police to assess potential claims against the former prince.
While details regarding the specific allegations that led to the arrest remain limited, the investigation appears to focus on potential breaches of public trust. Misconduct in public office carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment in the United Kingdom.
Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied any wrongdoing in connection with his relationship with Epstein. However, his ties to the convicted sex offender have been a source of considerable controversy for years, ultimately leading to his stepping down from royal duties in 2019.
The recent release of documents has brought renewed attention to the extent of the former prince’s interactions with Epstein. Among the newly released materials are images depicting Mountbatten-Windsor with an unidentified woman and email exchanges suggesting potential arrangements for meetings and dinners.
One email, dated April 4, 2009, allegedly from Sarah Ferguson, the ex-wife of Prince Andrew, to Epstein, expresses a desire to meet during a brief stopover in Palm Beach and praises Epstein as “a legend.” Another email, from August 2009, reportedly sees Ferguson thanking Epstein for being “the brother I always wished I had.”
Further scrutiny has focused on a 2020 document from the U.S. Justice Department, which indicated that American authorities had sought an interview with Mountbatten-Windsor, believing he may have been a witness or participant in events relevant to the Epstein investigation. The document reportedly cited evidence suggesting Mountbatten-Windsor had knowledge of Epstein’s recruitment of young women for sexual abuse and alleged his own involvement in sexual conduct with one of Epstein’s victims. These allegations have been repeatedly denied by Mountbatten-Windsor.
In 2022, Mountbatten-Windsor reached an out-of-court settlement with Virginia Giuffre, who had accused him of sexual assault. Giuffre alleged the assaults occurred when she was a minor and involved Epstein. Mountbatten-Windsor denied the allegations.
The arrest of a member of the British royal family on such serious charges represents an unprecedented development in modern times. The investigation is expected to be closely watched both within the United Kingdom and internationally, raising questions about the conduct of public figures and the accountability of those in positions of power. The outcome of the investigation could have significant implications for the reputation of the monarchy and its relationship with the public.
The investigation remains ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge as authorities continue their inquiries. The release of Mountbatten-Windsor under investigation indicates that the police are continuing to gather evidence and assess the situation before deciding whether to bring formal charges.
