Around 9 pm AEST on19 February 2026, news broke from the UK that the former prince, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested.
He is the first senior member of the royal family to be arrested in history.
According to a statement from Thames Valley Police, Andrew was put”on suspicion of misconduct in public office”. However, he was photographed leaving Aylsham police station after 7 pm GMT. Thames Valley Police stated that “the arrested man has now been released under investigation.”
King Charles released a statement following the arrest:
“I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office.
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.
In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation.
Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.
As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter.
Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all. Charles R.“
“For the Royal family, this is a crisis with long-term ramifications possibly greater than the abdication,” says The Weekly‘s royal correspondent Paola Totaro. “However King Charles’s announcement that investigating authorities have his full and wholehearted support will provide a message globally – and perhaps particularly to the United States – that nobody, not even a prince, is beyond the law and that UK authorities will do their job without fear or favour.”
Thames Valley Police said they were investigating a complaint of the alleged “sharing of confidential material” by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor with the late sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein.
The former prince has denied any wrongdoing. However, his association with Epstein led to King Charles stripping him of his former titles.
The investigation is ongoing.
