Former Prince Andrew arrested over suspected misconduct in public office revealed in Epstein files

The former Prince Andrew, now Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested on Thursday, [ February 19,2026] for suspected misconduct in public office after revelations in the Jeffrey Epstein files. King Charles III’s younger brother was arrested on his 66th birthday, about two weeks after an anti-royal organization called for police to investigate documents indicating that Andrew shared confidential government information with the late American sex offender when the royal worked as a British trade envoy.

The Thames Valley Police force confirmed just over a week ago that it was assessing claims against Mountbatten-Windsor that emerged in the latest release of Epstein files by the U.S. Justice Department to determine whether a formal investigation was warranted.

In a statement on Thursday, the Thames Valley Police confirmed that, “as part of the investigation, we have today (19/2) arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office and are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk.”

It said the man, who it did not name in line with police procedures, “remains in police custody at this time.”

Shortly after 8 a.m. local time (3 a.m. Eastern), six unmarked police vehicles were seen arriving at Wood Farm, Andrew’s new residence on King Charles’ Sandringham estate in Norfolk, eastern England. The Reuters news agency said later that police were also seen Thursday at Royal Lodge, Mountbatten-Windsor’s former residence on the royal family’s Windsor estate near London.

If Andrew is eventually charged with misconduct in public office, the offense carries a maximum possible sentence of life in prison in Britain.

“This is the king’s brother who has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office- the first senior royal to ever be arrested,” Roya Nikkhah, the royal editor of Britain’s Sunday Times newspaper, told “CBS Mornings,” stressing that it was “quite a moment” in history.

King Charles says “the law must take its course”

King Charles, in a statement released Thursday, said he had “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,” the king said, adding that he would not be commenting further amid the investigation into his brother, and that the rest of the royal family would “continue in our duty and service to you all.” (Source: CBS News)