On the morning of his 66th birthday, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, previously known as Prince Andrew, Duke of York, found himself at the center of a legal storm. He was taken into custody on charges of misconduct in public office, marking a significant development in the ongoing scrutiny surrounding his connections to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
This arrest is a first for Andrew, the second son of the late Queen Elizabeth II, despite the longstanding allegations linked to his association with Epstein. Throughout these controversies, Andrew has persistently maintained his innocence, denying any involvement in wrongdoing.
While the police have adhered to the standard U.K. protocol by not explicitly naming Mountbatten-Windsor, they did confirm the arrest of a man in his 60s. Given that it coincides with Andrew’s birthday, it is evident who the statement refers to.
The arrest followed a police raid on his residence in Sandringham, which he had recently made his home. This latest development adds another chapter to the saga surrounding the former Duke of York, keeping the public and media’s attention firmly focused on his legal troubles.
Mountbatten-Windsor is 66 and today is his birthday.
He was apprehended after a raid on his new Sandringham home.
A man steps out of an unmarked car at the home of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on February 19, 2026 in Sandringham, Norfolk. The late Queen Elizabeth IIs second son has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, following police investigation into the recently released Epstein files. The former prince continues to deny any wrongdoing. (Peter Nicholls/Getty Images)
The BBC report detailed the allegations set out in a statement from Thames Valley police, which says:
“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.
“The man remains in police custody at this time.
“We will not be naming the arrested man, as per national guidance. Please also remember that this case is now active so care should be taken with any publication to avoid being in contempt of court.”
Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said: “Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office.
“It is important that we protect the integrity and objectivity of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged offence.
“We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time.”
The BBC further reports the arrest comes after unmarked police cars were seen earlier Wednesday morning at Sandringham in Norfolk, where he has been living since leaving his home in Windsor.
Andrew stepped back from royal duties in 2019, following allegations by Virginia Giuffre that she was trafficked to have sex with him three times, including twice when she was 17.
File/The former Prince Andrew, Duke of York warmly greets a business leader during a reception at the sideline of the World Economic Forum on January 22, 2015 in Davos Switzerland. (Michel Euler-WPA Pool/Getty Imaes)
King Charles III then stripped his brother of his royal titles and honours late last year after Giuffre recounted the claims in shocking detail in a posthumous memoir.
The King made his move pre-emptively to freeze Andrew out of the Royal Family even though nothing had then, or even has now, been proven in court.
UPDATE: Buckingham Palace has released a statement regarding the arrest:
More to come…
