Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, was arrested on Thursday, February 19, 2026, on suspicion of misconduct in public office over his links to Jeffrey Epstein.
The 66-year-old was detained at Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk — on his birthday — by Thames Valley Police. Officers are searching properties in Berkshire and Norfolk, and he remains in custody. Police described arresting “a man in his sixties from Norfolk” without naming him, in line with standard procedure.
The arrest follows fresh revelations in the latest Epstein files released by the US Department of Justice earlier this year. Documents allegedly show that while serving as Britain’s special trade envoy from 2001 to 2011, Mountbatten-Windsor passed confidential UK government trade reports to the convicted sex offender.
This investigation focuses solely on alleged misconduct in public office, not the civil sexual assault claims settled years ago with Virginia Giuffre. Misconduct in public office carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
King Charles III issued a statement expressing “deepest concern” and adding: “What now follows is the full, fair and proper process… Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.” Buckingham Palace confirmed the royal family’s full cooperation with authorities.
The case marks the first arrest of a senior member of the British royal family in centuries. Mountbatten-Windsor was stripped of his HRH style, military titles, and royal patronages in 2022, and formally lost his “Prince” title last year amid ongoing fallout from the Epstein scandal. He has always denied any wrongdoing in his dealings with Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.
News of the arrest has dominated global headlines and reignited intense debate about accountability within the monarchy. Anti-monarchy campaigners have welcomed the move, while royal supporters express shock at the historic development.
The investigation remains active. No charges have been filed, and Mountbatten-Windsor has not commented publicly since his detention. As the story develops, it continues to cast a long shadow over the House of Windsor.