Police Confirm Arrest of Man in His 60s as Searches Conducted in Norfolk and Berkshire
British police have arrested Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, as part of an investigation into the suspected offence of misconduct in public office, according to reporting from UK and international outlets.
Thames Valley Police said it arrested “a man in his sixties from Norfolk” on the morning of February 19, 2026, and that investigators were carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk. Police did not publicly name the suspect in their statement.
By Thursday evening, multiple reports said Mountbatten-Windsor was released under investigation after hours in custody—meaning he has not been charged, and the investigation remains ongoing.
King Charles Comment: “The Law Must Take Its Course”
In a brief statement reported by major outlets, King Charles III expressed concern and stressed due process, saying “the law must take its course.”
Why Was He Arrested?
Reporting indicates the investigation was triggered by newly surfaced material linked to Jeffrey Epstein, including allegations that—during Mountbatten-Windsor’s period as a UK trade envoy—he may have shared confidential government information with Epstein.
Separately, Reuters also reported that the anti-monarchy campaign group Republic has submitted allegations to police concerning a woman allegedly taken to an address in Windsor in 2010—claims police were assessing.
What Is “Misconduct in Public Office”?
Misconduct in public office (MiPO) is a common law offence in England and Wales (not set out in a single statute). The Crown Prosecution Service describes it as a serious offence involving a wilful abuse or neglect of the powers or responsibilities of a public office, with a direct link between the misconduct and the office held.
The Law Commission summarizes the core test as requiring:
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A public officer acting as such
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Who wilfully neglects duty and/or wilfully misconducts themselves
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To a degree that amounts to an abuse of the public’s trust
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Without reasonable excuse or justification
Potential Penalties if Convicted
The CPS notes that MiPO is triable only on indictment and carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Actual sentences, where imposed, depend heavily on the facts—such as the seriousness of the breach of trust, harm caused, and the offender’s role and intent.
How the “Epstein Files” Are Hitting the Former Prince
The arrest comes amid renewed scrutiny of Mountbatten-Windsor’s past association with Epstein, a relationship that has shadowed him for years and previously led to his withdrawal from public royal duties and wider reputational fallout.
Recent releases and reporting framed as “Epstein files” have intensified public and political pressure—both in the UK and the US—by surfacing fresh claims and prompting calls for further testimony and investigation.
What Happens Next
In the UK, an arrest on suspicion does not mean charges are inevitable. Police will continue gathering evidence, and prosecutors would decide whether the evidentiary and public-interest tests for a charge are met.
