Chicago – February 19, 2026
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Prince Andrew, was arrested on February 19, 2026—his 66th birthday—on suspicion of misconduct in public office linked to his ties with Jeffrey Epstein. Thames Valley Police detained the man in his sixties from Norfolk, conducting searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk, before releasing him under investigation later that day.
The arrest stems from U.S. Justice Department documents released in January 2026, revealing emails where Andrew shared confidential trade reports with Epstein during his tenure as UK trade envoy. These included briefings on visits to Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and investment opportunities in Afghanistan’s Helmand province in 2010. An anti-monarchy group had urged police action weeks earlier.
Andrew, stripped of his royal titles last year amid Epstein scrutiny, has denied wrongdoing, including sexual assault allegations settled with Virginia Giuffre in 2022. Giuffre’s family welcomed the arrest, stating “no one is above the law.” King Charles III affirmed support for the investigation, emphasizing “the law must take its course,” while PM Keir Starmer stressed equality under the law.
Misconduct in public office carries a potential life sentence in Britain. Police continue inquiries, with no charges filed yet. The scandal renews focus on Andrew’s Epstein friendship, which began in the 1990s and persisted post-Epstein’s conviction.
