Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested by Thames Valley Police at Wood Farm, Sandringham Estate, on 19 February 2026. © PA Images
Prince Andrew arrested — this was the shocking headline that broke across the UK on the morning of Thursday, 19 February 2026. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, was taken into custody on suspicion of misconduct in public office on his 66th birthday, confirmed by Thames Valley Police. He has not been charged with any offence. Here is everything you need to know.
Prince Andrew Arrested: What Happened on 19 February 2026?
Early on the morning of Thursday 19 February 2026, Thames Valley Police confirmed that a man in his sixties from Norfolk had been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Although police did not name him — standard procedure under British law — they confirmed the arrest when asked directly about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
At just after 8am local time, six unmarked police vehicles were photographed arriving at Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, where Mountbatten-Windsor has been living. Officers were also carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire, understood to be connected to his former residence, Royal Lodge on the Windsor estate.
Mountbatten-Windsor remained in police custody at an undisclosed location throughout the morning. He has not yet been charged with any offence. So why exactly was Prince Andrew arrested?
Why Was Prince Andrew Arrested? The Epstein Document Allegation
The arrest follows allegations that, while serving as the UK’s trade envoy in 2010, Mountbatten-Windsor forwarded confidential government documents to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Among millions of documents released recently by the US Department of Justice as part of ongoing Epstein file disclosures, one email appears to show Mountbatten-Windsor sending Epstein a report prepared by his special adviser detailing his official visit to Southeast Asia — understood to have contained sensitive government trade information.
“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 offence.” — Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright, Thames Valley Police
What Is Misconduct in Public Office?
Misconduct in public office is a common law offence in England and Wales carrying a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Arrest does not equal guilt — Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has not been charged and denies all wrongdoing.
It is one of the most serious charges available under English law and applies to any public official who wilfully neglects their duty or abuses their position of trust in a way that causes serious harm or risk to the public. To secure a conviction, prosecutors must prove the conduct was wilful, a serious breach of duty, and without reasonable justification.
The allegation here is that Mountbatten-Windsor misused his role as UK Special Representative for International Trade and Investment to share confidential official documents with Epstein — a man who was already a convicted sex offender by 2010.
King Charles III Responds to Prince Andrew Arrest News
Shortly after news of the prince Andrew arrest broke, Buckingham Palace released a formal statement from King Charles III, his elder brother.
“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. The law must take its course.” — King Charles III, Buckingham Palace Statement
Prime Minister Keir Starmer also commented briefly when asked by the BBC: “Nobody is above the law.” The phrase “the law must take its course” from King Charles was widely interpreted as a clear and deliberate distancing from his brother.
Complete Timeline: How Prince Andrew’s Fall From Grace Led to This Arrest
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2019The BBC Newsnight Interview
Andrew gives a now-infamous BBC interview attempting to address his friendship with Epstein. Widely seen as a disaster, drawing widespread scepticism across the UK and internationally.
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2020Steps Back From All Royal Duties
Following the public backlash, Andrew officially steps back from all royal duties and public-facing roles.
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2022Civil Settlement with Virginia Giuffre
Settles a civil lawsuit brought by Virginia Roberts Giuffre for a reported multi-million dollar sum, without admitting liability. He denied all allegations.
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2025Stripped of Titles, Leaves Windsor Estate
King Charles strips Mountbatten-Windsor of his remaining titles and removes him from the Windsor estate. He relocates to Wood Farm, Sandringham, Norfolk.
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2026Prince Andrew Arrested on His 66th Birthday
Thames Valley Police arrest Mountbatten-Windsor at Wood Farm, Sandringham, on suspicion of misconduct in public office following new Epstein document disclosures by the US DOJ.
Key Facts: Prince Andrew Arrest at a Glance
| Full Name | Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (formerly Prince Andrew, Duke of York) |
| Age at Arrest | 66 — arrested on his birthday, 19 February 2026 |
| Arrested By | Thames Valley Police |
| Suspicion | Misconduct in public office |
| Core Allegation | Sharing confidential UK trade documents with Jeffrey Epstein (2010) |
| Properties Searched | Wood Farm, Sandringham (Norfolk) & Windsor estate (Berkshire) |
| Maximum Sentence | Life imprisonment (if charged and convicted) |
| Charged? | No — currently in custody, no charges filed |
| His Position | Denies all wrongdoing |
| King Charles’ Response | “The law must take its course” |
Frequently Asked Questions About the Prince Andrew Arrest
Yes. Prince Andrew arrested on 19 February 2026 — Thames Valley Police confirmed they took Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor into custody on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He has not been charged with any offence at this time.
The arrest follows allegations that he forwarded confidential UK government trade documents to Jeffrey Epstein in 2010, while serving as the UK’s Special Trade Representative — a public office role. The documents were discovered in new Epstein file disclosures by the US Department of Justice.
It is a common law criminal offence in England and Wales that applies to public officials who wilfully abuse their position or neglect their duties. It carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and is one of the most serious charges under English law.
King Charles issued a formal statement saying he learned of the news with “deepest concern” and that “the law must take its course.” He pledged the royal family’s full cooperation with the investigation and said it would not be right to comment further while it was ongoing.
At Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, where he has been living since being asked to leave the Windsor estate in 2025. Thames Valley Police also searched properties in Berkshire simultaneously.
No. As of 19 February 2026, he has been arrested and is in police custody but has not been formally charged. Under British law, police can hold a suspect for up to 24 hours without charge, with extensions possible for serious offences.
