NEED TO KNOW
- Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on his 66th birthday, February 19, 2026, on suspicion of misconduct in public office — a charge that carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment in the U.K.
- The arrest follows the U.S. DOJ’s release of millions of Epstein files, some of which suggest Andrew forwarded classified government trade reports to the convicted sex offender.
- King Charles III broke from royal protocol to issue a personal statement, declaring “the law must take its course.”
Well, happy birthday to him. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor — the man formerly known as Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and currently known as Britain’s most radioactive ex-royal — was arrested on Thursday, February 19, 2026, his 66th birthday, on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The charge carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment in the United Kingdom, which is quite the birthday gift from Thames Valley Police.
The arrest marks the first time a senior member of the British royal family has been taken into custody in modern history — a sentence that would have seemed completely unhinged to write even five years ago, and yet here we are. Shortly after 8 a.m. local time, six unmarked police vehicles were seen arriving at Wood Farm, Andrew’s residence on King Charles‘ Sandringham estate in Norfolk, eastern England, with police also seen at Royal Lodge, his former residence on the Windsor estate. Very cinematic. Very not great for the monarchy’s brand.
The dramatic takedown is the latest — and most consequential — chapter in the ongoing saga of Prince Andrew and the Epstein files. Some of the newly released documents suggested that Mountbatten-Windsor had, in 2010, forwarded to Epstein reports about Vietnam, Singapore, and other places he had visited on official trips as U.K. trade envoy. In other words, it’s alleged he used his access as a working royal to hand classified government intelligence to a convicted sex trafficker. Cool hobby!
Thames Valley Police, the agency that covers areas west of London including Mountbatten-Windsor’s former home, said it was assessing reports that the former Prince Andrew sent trade reports to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2010, following the release of millions of pages of documents connected to a U.S. investigation of Epstein. The force declined to name the arrested man, as is standard under British law — but when asked directly whether it was Andrew, they pointed reporters to a statement confirming they had arrested “a man in his sixties from Norfolk.” Andrew is 66. Cool, normal, very subtle.
Thames Valley Police’s Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said, “Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office. It is important that we protect the integrity and objectivity of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged offense. We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time.” Translation: there is an enormous amount happening right now and we will tell you when we’re ready.
The arrest also arrived on the heels of the anti-monarchy group Republic taking some victory laps. Republic’s CEO Graham Smith noted, “Make no mistake, this is a result of Republic’s action,” citing the organization’s pursuit of a private prosecution of the former royal. Whether or not that’s true, Republic is having a very good Thursday.
King Charles III — who, do not forget, is Andrew’s actual brother — wasted no time distancing the Crown from the chaos. The king said, “I have 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.” He signed the statement “Charles R” — personally, not through Buckingham Palace, which is its own kind of message.
The downfall has been breathtakingly fast, even by royal standards. In October 2025, King Charles stripped his younger brother of his title as prince and began the process of evicting him from the royal estate at Windsor, making Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor the name he now carries. Then, in January 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice’s release of a trove of documents related to its investigation into Epstein raised further questions about Mountbatten-Windsor’s dealings with the financier. And now, arrest.
Roya Nikkhah, the royal editor of Britain’s Sunday Times, told CBS Mornings that “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,” calling it “quite a moment” in history. That may be the most British understatement ever uttered. Andrew has previously denied all accusations related to Epstein and has not commented publicly on the most recent allegations of misconduct in public office. He can be held in police custody for up to 24 hours before police would have to charge him or release him — or up to 96 hours if suspected of a serious crime.
For a man who once sat down with the BBC and somehow made things considerably worse for himself, the silence right now is notable. The Epstein files continue to take names, and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, former prince, was arrested on his birthday. The monarchy, already beleaguered and bruised, is waking up to a very long day.
