Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, Duke of York, was arrested on February 19, 2026—his 66th birthday—on suspicion of misconduct in public office, Thames Valley Police announced in a statement that sent shockwaves through Britain and beyond. The younger brother of King Charles III, once a prominent working royal and Falklands War veteran, was taken into custody following coordinated raids at properties in Norfolk and Berkshire, including his current residence at Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate. The arrest stems from allegations that he improperly shared confidential government information with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during his tenure as the UK’s special representative for international trade and investment.

Thames Valley Police confirmed the operation: a man in his sixties from Norfolk was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, with searches underway at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk. The suspect remains in custody. While police withheld the name per protocol, multiple reliable sources—including BBC, CNN, The Guardian, Reuters, and AP—identified the individual as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor based on the details provided. Norfolk Police assisted in the Sandringham raid, where unmarked vehicles and officers were photographed arriving shortly after dawn.

The timing—Andrew’s birthday—added a layer of grim irony. Born February 19, 1960, at Buckingham Palace, he had reportedly planned a subdued celebration amid ongoing personal and legal pressures. Instead, the day unfolded with police activity at the royal estate owned by his brother, where he relocated after vacating Royal Lodge in Windsor earlier this month. Eyewitness images showed increased security and media presence around the grounds, underscoring the unprecedented nature of detaining a former senior royal.

The charges trace back to the latest tranche of Epstein files released by the U.S. Department of Justice in early 2026. Among millions of unsealed documents were emails and correspondence suggesting Andrew forwarded sensitive trade reports—covering visits to Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore, and other locations in 2010—to Epstein. These documents, products of his official role as trade envoy from 2001 to 2011, allegedly contained privileged economic intelligence and diplomatic insights. Anti-monarchy campaigners and legal experts had pressed Thames Valley Police to investigate potential breaches of official duties, abuse of position, and violations of national security protocols. Misconduct in public office, a common-law offense in the UK, carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and applies when a public official willfully neglects duty or abuses public trust for improper purposes.

Andrew’s Epstein connection has shadowed him for years. Photographs of the pair together, flights on Epstein’s private jet, and stays at his properties fueled scrutiny. Accusations from Virginia Giuffre of sexual assault—settled out of court in 2022 without admission of liability—led to his 2022 withdrawal from public duties and stripping of military titles and HRH status. His disastrous 2019 Newsnight interview exacerbated the fallout. The new allegations shift focus from personal misconduct to official wrongdoing, potentially exposing breaches during his trade envoy period.

King Charles III issued a measured statement through Buckingham Palace: the royal family offers full cooperation to authorities, and “the law must take its course.” The monarch, who has distanced himself from Andrew since the Epstein scandal intensified, faces renewed pressure over family reputation and the monarchy’s modernization efforts. Sources describe internal discussions as tense, with the arrest marking a historic low for the House of Windsor—a senior ex-royal in police custody for the first time in modern history.

Public reaction split sharply. Supporters decried the move as politically motivated persecution of the royals, while critics hailed it as overdue accountability. Social media exploded with hashtags like #AndrewArrested and #EpsteinFiles, memes contrasting birthday wishes with handcuffs, and debates over royal privilege. Royal watchers noted the symbolism: a man once dubbed the “playboy prince” now confronting consequences on a milestone day.

Andrew’s defense has consistently denied criminality. His team is expected to assert innocence and full cooperation, framing any Epstein contacts as regrettable social ties without illicit intent or official misuse. Legal experts predict a rigorous CPS review: digital forensics from seized devices, witness interviews, and document analysis will determine if charges proceed. The offense requires proof of willful misconduct and serious harm to public trust.

The Sandringham raid highlighted Andrew’s reduced circumstances. After losing Royal Lodge, Wood Farm offered a quieter retreat on family land. Berkshire searches targeted his former residence, suggesting broad evidence collection. No formal charges have been laid yet; custody allows up to 96 hours of questioning before release on bail or further action.

Broader implications ripple through the monarchy. King Charles’ slimmed-down institution already grapples with public skepticism, cost-of-living concerns, and republican sentiment. This scandal risks amplifying perceptions of untouchability, though the family’s history of weathering crises—from Diana to Harry—Meghan—suggests resilience. The arrest also revives calls for transparency in royal finances and past roles.

Andrew’s legacy—Falklands heroism, charitable work, naval service—now competes with scandal. The Epstein files’ release, including alleged correspondence, provided fresh impetus for investigation. Whether this leads to trial or dismissal, it ensures prolonged headlines.

As Andrew remains detained, Britain watches anxiously. Bail decisions, potential charges, or quiet release loom. The 66th birthday that began in celebration ended in custody—a stark punctuation to a fall from grace that began years ago but reached its nadir today.

In Sandringham’s serene grounds, where refuge once beckoned, accountability now demands answers. The royal family’s next chapter unfolds under unprecedented scrutiny, with one brother’s fate testing the institution’s endurance.