On Thursday, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, was arrested and taken into custody on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The arrest occurred at his residence, Wood Farm, on King Charles' Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. Thames Valley Police confirmed the arrest of a man in his sixties from Norfolk, and stated that searches were being conducted at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk. This development follows revelations stemming from the Jeffrey Epstein files.
Circumstances of the Arrest
The arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor took place on his 66th birthday. Six unmarked police vehicles were observed arriving at Wood Farm shortly after 8 a.m. local time. The London Metropolitan Police had initiated an investigation into his actions earlier in the month.

Official Statement: Thames Valley Police issued a statement indicating the arrest was based on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The 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."
Timing: The arrest occurred approximately two weeks after an anti-royal organization called for police to investigate documents suggesting Mountbatten-Windsor shared confidential government information with Jeffrey Epstein. This alleged sharing happened while the former royal was serving as a British trade envoy.
Residence Change: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was recently required to move from his Royal Lodge in Windsor to the smaller residence at Sandringham. King Charles has reportedly reduced Mountbatten-Windsor's annual allowance and security funding but is covering the costs of his new accommodation.
Revelations from the Epstein Files
A key factor leading to the police investigation and subsequent arrest appears to be information contained within the Jeffrey Epstein files. These files reportedly detail activities and communications involving Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor during his time as a trade envoy.
Read More: Prince Andrew Arrested in UK on February 19, 2026, for Misconduct
Trade Envoy Activities: Specifically, reports suggest that within the Epstein files, there is information related to Mountbatten-Windsor's actions as a trade envoy. One document cited in the reports indicates that he sought Epstein's views on investment opportunities in Afghanistan’s Helmand province.
Document Sharing: It is also being speculated that the sharing of documents, potentially including those within the Epstein files, between Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Jeffrey Epstein himself, may be a component of the investigation.
Royal and Official Responses
Buckingham Palace has indicated its support for the ongoing police inquiries. King Charles III, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's brother, has been quoted as stating that "law must take its course."
Palace Stance: Buckingham Palace has confirmed it would support Thames Valley Police in their investigations.
King Charles' Comment: King Charles III's statement suggests an acknowledgement of the legal process unfolding.
Denials of Wrongdoing: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied any wrongdoing. He was stripped of his royal title last year due to his association with Jeffrey Epstein and amidst ongoing accusations of sexual assault, which he also denies.
Evidence and Inquiries
The investigation is being conducted by Thames Valley Police, with support from the Metropolitan Police. Searches are underway at multiple locations.
Arrest Details: The arrested individual, identified as a man in his sixties from Norfolk, remains in police custody.
Ongoing Searches: Police activity includes searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk, connected to the investigation.
Public Interest: Thames Valley Police acknowledged the significant public interest in the case and stated that updates would be provided at appropriate times.
Sources
BBC News: Published 2 hours ago. Details the arrest and initial circumstances, including the location and the involvement of Thames Valley Police.🔗 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c70kjr9wjw0t
CBS News: Published 2 hours ago. Reports on the arrest, its connection to the Epstein files, and Mountbatten-Windsor's previous denial of wrongdoing.🔗 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/former-prince-andrew-arrested-epstein-files-suspected-misconduct-public-office/
CNBC: Published 1 hour ago. Covers the arrest, the police statement, and the fact that searches are being carried out at different addresses.🔗 https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/19/prince-andrew-arrest-misconduct-epstein-mountbatten-windsor.html?msockid=0c46b4113796641d2009a31436a86521
Al Jazeera: Published 1 hour ago. Focuses on the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor for suspected misconduct in public office and references past events, including the loss of his title.🔗 https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/02/19/ex-price-andrew-arrested-on-suspicion-of-misconduct-in-public-office
The Guardian: Published 2 hours ago. Provides live updates on the arrest, mentioning the police presence and the official statement from Thames Valley Police.🔗 https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/live/2026/feb/19/police-arrest-former-prince-andrew-mountbatten-windsor-sandringham-latest-updates