Prince Andrew arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office over Epstein ties

Thames Valley Police arrested Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on February 19, 2026 — his 66th birthday — on suspicion of misconduct in public office, the first arrest of a member of the British royal family in centuries. Police had been examining allegations that the former prince shared confidential trade reports with Jeffrey Epstein during his tenure as the United Kingdom's international trade envoy, after DOJ-released emails appeared to show him forwarding official visit briefings and investment opportunity documents to Epstein. Andrew was held for eleven hours before being released under investigation, meaning he was neither charged nor exonerated.