A man in his sixties, identified by media as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Thames Valley Police confirmed the arrest, stating that the individual was taken into custody and that searches are being conducted at properties in Berkshire and Norfolk. The arrest is linked to an ongoing investigation, with reports referencing allegations concerning his past associations.

Background and Arrest Details
Reports indicate that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who celebrated his 66th birthday on the day of the arrest, was detained at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. Unmarked police cars and officers in plain clothes were observed arriving at Wood Farm on the estate shortly after 8 a.m. local time. Thames Valley Police issued a statement confirming the arrest of "a man in his sixties from Norfolk" on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The statement noted that the man remains in police custody and that searches are being carried out at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk.
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Date of Arrest: February 19, 2026
Location of Arrest: Sandringham Estate, Norfolk
Arresting Authority: Thames Valley Police
Suspected Offense: Misconduct in public office
Subject's Age: In his sixties (reported to be 66)
Nature of the Investigation
Media reports suggest the arrest is connected to allegations that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor may have shared sensitive information with Jeffrey Epstein, a financier convicted of sex offenses. Specifically, some reports mention claims that he was asked by the Metropolitan Police to investigate a woman who had accused him of sexual assault. It is understood that Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, has previously faced scrutiny over his links to Epstein. He later reached a civil settlement with Virginia Giuffre, who had accused him of sexual assault.

Official Statements and Public Interest
Thames Valley Police acknowledged the significant public interest in the case. Their statement read: "As part of the investigation, 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. We will not be naming the arrested man, as per national guidance. We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time."
Read More: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested on February 19 2026 on suspicion of misconduct in public office
Circumstantial Evidence and Lines of Inquiry
Police Activity at Sandringham: The presence of multiple unmarked police cars and plain-clothed officers at Wood Farm, a property associated with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, on the morning of his arrest offers circumstantial evidence of police action at his residence.
Police Statement Consistency: The wording used by Thames Valley Police in their public statement appears to align across different news outlets, indicating a consistent official account of the arrest and the nature of the suspicion.
Timing of Arrest: The arrest occurred on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's 66th birthday. Does this timing hold any investigative significance?
Allegations and Previous Settlements: The recurring mention of his past associations with Jeffrey Epstein and the civil settlement with Virginia Giuffre in multiple reports points to these as the presumed underpinnings of the current investigation.
Expert and Public Figures' Reactions
Reports indicate that Sir Keir Starmer had previously joined calls for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to testify publicly about his connections to Epstein. This highlights a broader public and political expectation for him to address these allegations.
Conclusion and Next Steps
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He is currently in police custody. Searches are being conducted at various locations. Thames Valley Police have stated they will provide further updates as the investigation progresses. The full scope of the allegations and the evidence being gathered remains subject to ongoing police activity.
Sources:
CNN: https://edition.cnn.com/world/live-news/andrew-mountbatten-windsor-arrested-uk-police-02-19-26
Context: Live news updates providing immediate reporting on the arrest and police statements.
The Independent: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/andrew-mountbatten-windsor-police-epstein-files-sandringham-b2923465.html
Context: Reports on the arrest, linking it to Epstein allegations and including details of police activity.
The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/feb/19/police-former-prince-andrew-mountbatten-windsor-sandringham
Context: Provides details of the arrest at Sandringham and connects the investigation to alleged sharing of sensitive information.
Manchester Evening News: https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/uk/andrew-mountbatten-windsor-arrested-misconduct-33452074
Context: Confirms the arrest and details the police presence at the property on the subject's birthday.
Herald Scotland: https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/25868208.andrew-mountbatten-windsor-arrested-suspicion-misconduct/
Context: Confirms the arrest and custody status, referencing his past loss of royal titles and civil settlement.