Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the younger brother of King Charles III and formerly known as Prince Andrew, was arrested on the morning of February 19 on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Police arrived at his home on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, England, around 8:00 am, and took him into custody.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the younger brother of King Charles III and formerly known as Prince Andrew, was arrested on the morning of February 19 on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Police arrived at his home on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, England, around 8:00 am, and took him into custody.

In a detail that has not gone unnoticed, today also happens to be Andrew's 66th birthday.

Who Is Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor?

Andrew is the second son of the late Queen Elizabeth II and the younger brother of King Charles III. He used to hold the title Prince Andrew and was formally known as His Royal Highness. That changed in October 2025, when King Charles stripped him of his royal titles amid growing public pressure over his long association with the late American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He has been known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor ever since and is no longer a working member of the royal family.

Until earlier this month, Andrew lived at Royal Lodge, a large 30-room property in Windsor, west of London. He was evicted from the property by King Charles and has since been living at Wood Farm, a smaller, more private home on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, where he was arrested this morning.

What Happened This Morning

Six unmarked police vehicles arrived at Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate at approximately 8:00 am. Officers took Andrew into custody, and searches were carried out at two addresses: Wood Farm in Norfolk and Royal Lodge in Berkshire, his former home.

Thames Valley Police, the force leading the investigation, released a formal statement confirming the arrest:

As part of the investigation, we have today 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," the statement read. "The man remains in police custody at this time."

Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright added:

"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. We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time."

Norfolk Constabulary confirmed it was "supporting a Thames Valley Police investigation into misconduct in a public office."

Andrew has not been charged. He remains in custody as the investigation is active.

What Is Misconduct in Public Office?

Misconduct in public office is a common law offense in the United Kingdom, meaning it has developed through court decisions over centuries rather than being defined by a single piece of legislation. It applies to individuals acting in an official public capacity who willfully neglect their duties or abuse their position in a way that represents a serious breach of public trust.

To pursue a charge, prosecutors must satisfy four legal elements:

1. The accused was a public officer at the time of the alleged conduct.

2. They acted willfully, meaning the misconduct was deliberate rather than negligent.

3. The conduct was serious enough to constitute an abuse of the public's trust, not merely a poor judgment call or an administrative error.

4. There was no reasonable excuse or justification for the behavior.

The threshold is deliberately high. Minor failings or errors made in good faith do not meet the standard. The offense is reserved for conduct that fundamentally undermines the integrity of a public role. In the most serious cases, it carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

What Are the Allegations?

The investigation focuses on Andrew's time as the UK's Special Representative for International Trade and Investment, a government role he held in the early 2010s. In that role, he represented British trade interests abroad and had access to confidential government briefings.

In January 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice released millions of documents related to its investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Among those documents were emails that appeared to show Andrew sharing confidential government information directly with Epstein.

One email thread shows that on November 30, 2010, Andrew forwarded official reports from his trade visits to Singapore, Hong Kong, and Vietnam to Epstein within minutes of receiving them from his own adviser. He sent them with no explanation or message attached.

In another exchange, Andrew appeared to share what he described as a "confidential brief" on potential investment opportunities in southern Afghanistan, where British troops were stationed at the time. In that email, he told Epstein he was sharing the documents to get his "comments, views, or ideas as to whom I could also usefully show this to attract some interest."

In plain terms, Andrew was allegedly passing sensitive government documents to a man who was a convicted sex offender, using his official position to do it.

The anti-monarchy group Republic formally called for a police investigation after the documents were released. Thames Valley Police confirmed just over a week ago that it was assessing the claims. Thursday's arrest followed what the force described as a thorough assessment.

Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

“The Law Must Take It’s Course”

King Charles released a statement hours after the arrest became public. He 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," Charles said. He added that he would not be commenting further while the investigation is ongoing.

Buckingham Palace confirmed that neither King Charles nor the Palace was informed in advance that the arrest was going to take place. The Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate, released a separate statement through a spokesperson earlier this month saying they had been "deeply concerned by the continuing revelations" in the Epstein files and that their "thoughts remain focused on the victims."

What Others Have Said

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer addressed the arrest while attending a summit in India. "No one is above the law," he said, adding that Andrew should cooperate with U.S. authorities as well. "I think that's a matter for the police; they will conduct their own investigations, but one of the core principles in our system is that everybody is equal under the law."

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy echoed that position.

Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who was in office while Andrew held his trade envoy title, confirmed he has been actively assisting the police.

"I have submitted a five-page memorandum to the Metropolitan, Surrey, Sussex, Thames Valley and other relevant UK police constabularies," Brown said in a statement. "This memorandum provides new and additional information to that which I submitted last week, where I expressed my concern that we secure justice for trafficked girls and women."

Spencer T. Kuvin, an attorney who has represented victims of Jeffrey Epstein, also responded to the news.

"Victims of abuse often face disbelief and backlash," he said. "The legal process must remain centered on survivors' dignity regardless of the fame, power or wealth of a potential perpetrator. Survivors want more than a sensational news cycle. They want truth, accountability, and lasting change in how the powerful are held responsible for their actions."

Virginia Giuffre's Family Responds

Virginia Giuffre was one of Epstein's most prominent accusers. She alleged that she was trafficked by Epstein and forced to have sex with Andrew on three separate occasions, twice when she was just 17 years old. Andrew always denied those allegations. In 2022, he reached a civil settlement with Giuffre that reportedly cost him around $16 million, though it included neither an admission of liability nor a formal apology. Giuffre died by suicide in April 2025 at the age of 41.

Her siblings released a statement in response to Thursday's arrest.

"At last, today, our broken hearts have been lifted at the news that no one is above the law, not even royalty," they said. "On behalf of our sister, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, we extend our gratitude to the UK's Thames Valley Police for their investigation and the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. He was never a prince. For survivors everywhere, Virginia did this for you."

What Happens Next

Under UK law, police can hold a suspect for up to 24 hours without formally charging them. That can be extended to 36 or even 96 hours with special authorization from senior officers and, in some cases, a Magistrate's Court. In most cases, suspects are either charged or released within that initial window.

Policing experts have noted there will be no special treatment for Andrew during his time in custody. He will be held in a standard cell until his police interview.

No charges have been filed yet. Whether this arrest leads to a formal prosecution will depend on the evidence gathered by Thames Valley Police and a decision by the Crown Prosecution Service on whether there is enough to bring a case to court.

Andrew has not responded to requests for comment.

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