Prince Andrew Arrested on February 19 2026 Over Epstein Ties

Prince Andrew was arrested on his 66th birthday, February 19, 2026. This is the first time a senior royal has been arrested in Britain.
By Newsroom | Royalty, Crime |

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. This action follows the recent release of new documents and emails connected to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. The arrest, occurring on Mountbatten-Windsor's 66th birthday, has reignited public and official examination of his past associations with Epstein.

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Buckingham Palace has stated that Mountbatten-Windsor has committed no impropriety. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing. However, newly surfaced information has put his previous statements and relationship with Epstein under renewed focus.

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Timeline of Events and Associations

The relationship between Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Jeffrey Epstein is understood to have begun around 1999, when they were introduced by Ghislaine Maxwell.

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  • 1999: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Jeffrey Epstein reportedly become acquainted through Ghislaine Maxwell.

  • Epstein's Birthday Celebrations: Epstein and Maxwell were later invited to celebrations for the birthdays of several Royal Family members at Windsor Castle, including Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's 40th birthday.

  • Public Disclosures: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was photographed with Epstein in New York's Central Park. He has stated publicly that he ended contact with Epstein.

  • 2025 (Specific dates vary by source):

  • November 13, 2025: New documents and emails from Epstein's estate are released, raising further questions about Mountbatten-Windsor's account of his friendship with Epstein and his denials related to Virginia Giuffre.

  • December 24, 2025: Emails suggesting further damage to Mountbatten-Windsor's reputation are published. Calls continue for him to provide evidence to US committees.

  • February 10, 2026: A detailed timeline of the friendship is published.

  • February 19, 2026: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

  • Recent Developments (Published 2-6 days prior to report):

  • Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor moves out of Royal Lodge amidst the release of new files related to Epstein.

  • He is arrested on his 66th birthday. Police state he is in custody and searches are being conducted at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk.

  • King Charles announces Mountbatten-Windsor has been stripped of his royal titles and honors.

  • The Queen (referring to Queen Elizabeth II in Article 6, or possibly a general reference to the institution) removes his permission to use the style ‘His Royal Highness’ in any official capacity.

Allegations and Denials

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Reports indicate that the allegations involve sharing confidential reports with Jeffrey Epstein.

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  • Mountbatten-Windsor's Position: He has vehemently denied any wrongdoing in his friendship with Epstein. He has also denied having sex with Virginia Giuffre or meeting her.

  • Buckingham Palace's Stance: Buckingham Palace has denied that Mountbatten-Windsor has committed any impropriety.

  • Giuffre Allegations: Documents also suggest that Epstein and Mountbatten-Windsor communicated beyond the period Mountbatten-Windsor stated he had cut ties with Epstein. One email reportedly shows Mountbatten-Windsor saying, "I can’t take any more of this" to Epstein. It has also been alleged that a woman was directed to stage an orgy for Andrew and Epstein on Epstein's private Caribbean island.

Official Actions and Reactions

The recent events have led to significant official actions and intensified scrutiny.

Read More: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Arrested on His Birthday for Misconduct in Public Office in Norfolk

  • Arrest and Searches: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on Thursday, February 19, 2026, on his 66th birthday. Police are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk.

  • Loss of Titles and Residence: Following his arrest and previous scrutiny, Mountbatten-Windsor was stripped of his royal titles and honors by King Charles. He has also been required to move out of Royal Lodge, his home in Windsor, to a smaller property on the King's Sandringham Estate.

  • Public and Governmental Pressure:

  • Democrats on the House Oversight Committee have requested Mountbatten-Windsor answer questions as part of their investigation into Epstein and his associates.

  • There are ongoing calls for him to give evidence to a US Congress committee and the US Department of Justice.

Expert Commentary

Royal commentator Imogen Lloyd Webber described the situation as Britain's royal family being in "uncharted territory" with the former prince and the Epstein crisis. This renewed focus falls on Charles, Mountbatten-Windsor's older brother, to manage the fallout, contrasting with previous scrutiny during Queen Elizabeth II's reign.

Unresolved Questions

Despite denials and official statements, several questions persist regarding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein:

  • What was the full extent and nature of their communication, particularly after Mountbatten-Windsor stated he had severed ties?

  • What confidential reports, if any, were shared, and what was their significance?

  • Will Mountbatten-Windsor provide testimony to US committees investigating Epstein's activities?

Conclusion

The arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor marks a critical juncture in the ongoing public examination of his connections to Jeffrey Epstein. While Mountbatten-Windsor and Buckingham Palace maintain his innocence, the release of new documents and the formal investigation have led to significant repercussions, including the loss of titles and forced relocation. The situation remains fluid, with further scrutiny and potential legal or official demands anticipated.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why was Prince Andrew arrested on February 19, 2026?
Prince Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. This happened after new documents and emails linked to Jeffrey Epstein were released.
Q: What new information about Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein came out?
New documents and emails suggest Prince Andrew communicated with Epstein longer than he said. There are also claims about sharing confidential reports.
Q: What has happened to Prince Andrew since his arrest?
Prince Andrew was stripped of his royal titles and honors by King Charles. He also had to move from Royal Lodge to a different property.
Q: What is Prince Andrew's response to the allegations?
Prince Andrew has always said he did nothing wrong and denies any wrongdoing in his friendship with Epstein. Buckingham Palace also stated he has committed no impropriety.
Q: What is the impact on the Royal Family?
Royal experts say the family is in 'uncharted territory.' King Charles is now managing the situation, which is different from how Queen Elizabeth II handled past issues.
Q: Will Prince Andrew give evidence to US committees?
There are ongoing calls for Prince Andrew to give evidence to US committees investigating Epstein's activities. He has been asked by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee to answer questions.