LONDON, England. — This Thursday, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsoralso known as former Prince Andrewbrother of King Charles III of the United Kingdomwas arrested for alleged misconduct in the exercise of public office.
Although Andrew has denied any wrongdoing related to his friendship with Epstein, concerns about Mountbatten-Windsor’s ties to the late financier have dogged the British royal family for more than a decade. But he arrest of a brother of a monarch It was an extraordinary event unprecedented in modern times that will undoubtedly increase the pressure on the crown.
Arrested on his birthday
BREAKING NEWS | Former Prince Andrew arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, British police reporthttps://t.co/U0aXyNkT8s
— CNN Spanish (@CNNEE) February 19, 2026
Following the arrest, King Charles III said the law must take its course in the investigation, and sought to distance the Mountbatten-Windsor royal family.
Mountbatten-Windsor, who turned 66 today, moved to the estate of his brother, King Charles III, in Norfolk after he was evicted from his residence near Windsor Castle, where he had lived for years, earlier this month.
They are investigating whether Andrew sent confidential reports to Epstein
The Thames Valley Police indicated that it was “evaluating” reports that Mountbatten-Windsor sent business reports confidential to Epstein in 2010when the former prince was UK special envoy for international trade. Those reports were in the correspondence between the two men included in the millions of pages of documents from the investigation of the United States Department of Justice about Epstein that were published last month.
“After a thorough evaluation, we have opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in the exercise of public office,” deputy police chief said in a statement. Oliver Wright. “We understand the strong public interest in this case and will provide updated information in a timely manner.”
Police also said they were searching two properties.
How long could Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor be detained?
The police commentator Danny Shaw said to the BBC that, in most cases, the suspects are held between 12 and 24 hours and are then charged or released pending further investigation.
He Absolute maximum time that the former prince can be detained is 96 hoursbut this would require multiple extensions from senior police officers and a magistrates’ court. It was unclear what time he was arrested.
Andrew will be placed in “a cell in a custody unit” with only “a bed and a toilet,” where he will wait until his police interview.
“There will be no special treatment for him,” Shaw said.
Former prince stripped of his royal titles
‘We are expecting King Charles to emerge.’ @samfrancisuk reports live from Buckingham Palace, as the King prepares to leave the royal residence, following his statement on the arrest of his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. pic.twitter.com/IodsSDEE7q
— GB News (@GBNEWS) February 19, 2026
The former British prince was stripped of his royal titles for his links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Last week there was an unprecedented announcement: the Palacio de Buckingham He said he was ready to cooperate should there be a police investigation into links between Mountbatten-Windsor and Epstein.
King Charles III was forced to act after the US Department of Justice released millions of pages of documents about Epstein that revealed the extent of his relationship with Mountbatten-Windsor and showed that their correspondence continued long after the financier pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting the services of a minor for prostitution.
🟣For his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, former Prince Andrew is arrested in the United Kingdom
His arrest would be linked to the leak of confidential British government documents to the pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, when he was the monarchy’s commercial envoy. “Justice must… pic.twitter.com/lPUAbmH2XO
— DW Español (@dw_espanol) February 19, 2026
Following Thursday’s arrest, King Charles III issued a statement reiterating that he will cooperate with the investigation.
“Let me say it clearly: the law must take its course,” the king said in a statement signed by Carlos R. “As long as this process continues, it would not be correct for me to comment further on this matter.”
He added: “My family and I will continue our duty and service to all of you.”
Epstein was arrested on sex trafficking charges brought by federal prosecutors in New York in 2019. He took his own life in jail while awaiting trial.
“He was never a prince,” says Virginia Giuffre’s family
🗣️ The family of Virginia Giuffre, the main accuser of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, celebrates the arrest of former Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, brother of King Charles III: “Finally today our hearts are relieved with the news that no one is for… pic.twitter.com/vvSaphQKvp
— El Universal (@El_Universal_Mx) February 19, 2026
The family of Virginia GiuffreJeffrey Epstein’s main accuser, maintained that former Prince Andrés, detained on suspicion of misconduct, “was never a prince,” according to an article published by the newspaper El Universal.
In a statement, Virginia Giuffre’s siblings said, “Finally today our hearts are relieved with the news that no one is above the law, not even royalty.”
Relatives of Virginia Giuffre, who committed suicide last year, said Prince Andrew “was never a prince.”
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