Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested on suspicion of misconduct

Thames Valley Police arrested AMAndrew Mountbatten-Windsor at approximately 8 a.m. local time on February 19, 2026, at his Wood Farm residence on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. Police simultaneously searched his Royal Lodge residence in Berkshire. The arrest was on suspicion of misconduct in public office, which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment in the United Kingdom.

The arrest came two weeks after Thames Valley Police announced it was 'assessing' claims against Mountbatten-Windsor that emerged from DOJ Epstein file releases. The documents, released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, included emails appearing to show the former prince forwarding confidential official reports from trade trips to Vietnam, Singapore, Afghanistan, and other countries to Epstein in 2010 while serving as the UK's Special Representative for International Trade and Investment.

Mountbatten-Windsor was released 'under investigation' after approximately 11 hours

Under UK law, police can typically hold a suspect for 24 hours before charging or releasing them; with extensions, up to 96 hours

Being released 'under investigation' means no charges have been filed but the investigation is ongoing He has not been exonerated.

King CICharles III issued a personal statement — signing it 'Charles R' rather than routing it through Buckingham Palace press channels — saying 'I have learned with the deepest concern the news about AMAndrew 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.' He added: 'Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.'

UK Prime Minister KSKeir Starmer told the BBC on the morning of February 19 that Mountbatten-Windsor 'should' testify about the Epstein files — the most direct statement a sitting British prime minister has made about a member of the royal family's obligation to cooperate with a criminal investigation.

VGVirginia Giuffre, who alleged she was trafficked by Epstein and forced to have sex with Mountbatten-Windsor three times — twice when she was 17 — died by suicide in 2024 at age 41

Her siblings released a statement to CBS News after the arrest: 'At last, today, our broken hearts have been lifted at the news that no one is above the law, not even royalty

On behalf of our sister, 🏛️Virginia Roberts Giuffre, we extend our gratitude to the UK's Thames Valley Police for their investigation and the arrest of AMAndrew Mountbatten-Windsor He was never a prince For survivors everywhere, Virginia did this for you.'

Among the documents released by the DOJ was a draft email appearing to show GMGhislaine Maxwell confirming the authenticity of the photograph showing her, Mountbatten-Windsor, and Giuffre together. Maxwell had previously suggested in a jailhouse interview and through representatives that the photo could have been faked. Mountbatten-Windsor had similarly questioned its authenticity.

STSpencer T. Kuvin, an attorney representing Epstein victims, said the arrest may 'restore some faith for those who believed justice was unreachable' and called for the legal process to remain 'centered on survivors' dignity regardless of the fame, power or wealth of a potential perpetrator.' The arrest is the highest-profile result of the Epstein file releases to date, and survivors' advocates have noted that no comparable accountability has been pursued by the U.S. DOJ against American Epstein associates.