Former Prince Andrew released after misconduct suspicion arrest

Lucy White and Ellen Milligan, Bloomberg News on Feb 19, 2026

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Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the brother of the U.K.’s King Charles, was released under investigation on Thursday after being arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

The Thames Valley Police confirmed it had released a Norfolk man in his sixties, without mentioning the former royal by name. Last week, the police force said it was leading the assessment of allegations tied to the U.S. Department of Justice’s publication of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

King Charles III issued a statement outlining his “deepest concern” about the matter and promising Buckingham Palace’s “full and wholehearted support and co-operation” with the investigating authorities.

“What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner,” Charles said. “Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.”

The arrest of Andrew, who turned 66 on Thursday, heaps further embarrassment on Britain’s royal family following years of lurid allegations about ties with Epstein that the former prince has consistently denied. His arrest appears to be the first of a U.K. royal since King Charles I in the 17th century following his defeat in the English Civil War.

Emails to a representative for Mountbatten-Windsor’s office weren’t immediately returned. He has not been charged.

Emails released by the U.S. last month showed the former prince allegedly disclosing confidential government information to Epstein during his time as U.K. trade envoy, a position he held between 2001 and 2011.

Photographs in the U.K. media appeared to show police vehicles attending the Sandringham Estate, the Royal Family’s residence in the county of Norfolk. Norfolk police told Bloomberg that they are supporting a Thames Valley Police investigation into misconduct in a public office.

The Thames Valley police said the searches in Norfolk had concluded, though efforts in Berkshire were still underway.

Misconduct in a public office carries a maximum punishment of life in prison and “concerns serious willful abuse or neglect of the power or responsibilities of the public office held,” according to Crown Prosecution Service guidelines. In a 2015 Court of Appeal ruling, judges described the offense as “an ancient common law offense” that can trace its roots back to the 13th century.

Between 2014 and 2024 some 191 people were convicted of misconduct in a public office, according to research from Spotlight on Corruption. More than 92% were prison or police officers with only 2% of publicly identifiable convictions coming against senior public officials or executives.

The Epstein files contained emails indicating that Mountbatten-Windsor had advocated for Epstein on a visit with the late Queen Elizabeth II to the United Arab Emirates in 2010, and that he had shared information acquired in his trade envoy role with the disgraced financier and his associates.

They also contained pictures of the former prince on all fours kneeling over a young woman.

Mountbatten-Windsor has previously faced separate allegations regarding sexual offenses connected to his friendship with Epstein, which prompted his mother, the late queen, to strip him of his military titles and patronages in 2022. They included civil action in the U.S. brought by Virginia Giuffre, who alleged that she was forced to have sex with the former prince as a teenager.

He paid a financial settlement to end the court case, denying any wrongdoing.

King Charles III stripped Mountbatten-Windsor of his remaining titles — including “prince” — in September, following the publication of Giuffre’s memoir in which she said the former prince “believed that having sex with me was his birthright.” Despite the king’s move, Mountbatten-Windsor is still eighth in line to the throne.

“As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter,” Charles said on Thursday. “Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service.”

U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking about the case aboard Air Force One, called the arrest a “shame” and expressed sympathy for Charles, who he called a “fantastic man” and said was visiting the U.S. soon.

“I think it’s so bad for the royal family,” Trump said.

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—With assistance from Alex Morales, Jonathan Browning, Justin Sink and Jordan Fabian.