UK police arrest Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor rides a horse in Windsor Great Park, near to Royal Lodge, a property on the estate surrounding Windsor Castle, Britain, February 2, 2026. TOBY MELVILLE / REUTERS

Britain’s former prince Andrew was arrested on Thursday, February 19, on suspicion of misconduct during his time as a trade envoy, as UK police investigations into allegations emerging from the Jeffrey Epstein files gathered pace. Police said they were also searching two properties, in eastern England and west of London, as part of their probe.

Unprecedented in Britain’s modern era, the arrest was a new blow for the ousted royal, who was celebrating his 66th birthday on Thursday. Andrew was stripped of all his titles last year, having been forced out of his former home by his brother King Charles III.

As part of the investigation into Andrew, “we have today (19/2) 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,” Thames Valley police said in a statement. “The man remains in police custody at this time. We will not be naming the arrested man, as per national guidance. Please also remember that this case is now active so care should be taken with any publication to avoid being in contempt of court.”

Britain’s King Charles III issued a statement after police arrested the former prince. “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,” Charles said, in a rare personally signed statement. “In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation,” he noted, before adding “let me state clearly: the law must take its course.”

Images published by UK media showed a fleet of unmarked cars, believed to be police vehicles, arriving early on Thursday at King Charles III’s Sandringham estate, in eastern England, where Andrew had moved earlier this month.

A police officer stands at the entrance to the Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate, Britain, February 19, 2026. CHRIS RADBURN / REUTERS ‘Concern’

The arrest follows new revelations last week that appeared to show that Andrew had sent convicted US sex offender Epstein potentially confidential documents during his time as a UK trade envoy. In a November 2010 email, Andrew appeared to share reports on Vietnam, Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Singapore with Epstein, following an official visit to Asia.

The ex-royal, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, also reportedly sent the American financier details of the trip – on which he was accompanied by Epstein’s business associates – along with investment opportunities months later.

Read more Subscribers only The fall of Andrew, the black sheep of Britain’s royal family

Charles last year stripped his brother of his titles and ordered he leave his Windsor mansion — though he does remain eighth in the line of succession to the British throne. In his statement, the king reiterated he had learned of the latest claims “with the deepest concern” and that a “full, fair and proper process” investigated “in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities” would follow. “In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation,” he added. “Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.”

Partner service

Help us improve Le Monde in English

New

This followed one of Epstein’s accusers, Virginia Giuffre, recounting in shocking details in her posthumous memoirs allegations that she had been trafficked to have sex with Andrew when she was a teenager. He has previously denied any wrongdoing in his associations with Epstein.

The Giuffre family welcomed Andrew’s arrest Thursday, saying “our broken hearts have been lifted at the news”, adding “he was “never a prince.” He has previously denied any wrongdoing in his associations with Epstein. Andrew settled a US civil lawsuit in 2022 brought by Giuffre while not admitting liability.

Andrew, whose ties to Epstein have caused a spectacular years-long fall from grace, served as a British trade envoy for a decade from 2001. Official guidance stipulates trade envoys have a duty of confidentiality over sensitive, commercial or political information related to their official visits, the BBC has said. Misconduct in public office carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, according to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Nine police forces investigating Andrew

Before news of Andrew’s arrest broke, Prime Minister Keir Starmer had said “nobody is above the law.” The ex-prince is deeply unpopular with the British public, and many welcomed his arrest.

It was not immediately clear where Andrew had been taken to. Under UK law he can be held for 24 hours without charge, after which the police must apply to the courts for a custody extension.

At least nine separate UK police forces have confirmed they are assessing reports which appear to link the former prince to Epstein. Police in Surrey, southeastern England, said Wednesday they had become “aware” of a redacted report alleging “human trafficking and sexual assaults on a minor” between 1994 and 1996 in the village of Virginia Water. The report emerged in the latest tranche of millions of files released by the US justice department from the investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.

“After reviewing our systems using the limited information available to us, we found no evidence of these allegations being reported to Surrey Police,” its statement read. “We therefore encourage anyone with information in relation to these allegations to report this to us.”

The statement did not name any individuals involved. But it comes as high-profile figures, including former UK prime minister Gordon Brown, have urged police to probe dozens of flights dating back decades arriving at UK airports and tied to Epstein.

Writing in the New Statesman magazine last week, Brown said he had been “told privately that the investigations related to the former Prince Andrew did not properly check vital evidence of flights.” “I have asked the police to look at this as part of the new inquiry,” he stated, adding it appeared “the authorities never knew what was happening.”

London’s Metropolitan police has also launched an investigation into the relationship between the UK’s former ambassador to Washington, Peter Mandelson, and the disgraced financier.

Le Monde with AFP