Disgraced ex‑prince Andrew arrested on 66th birthday

UK police said on 19 February 2026, officers were searching two addresses, one in eastern England and one west of London, following the arrest of ex-prince Andrew on suspicion of misconduct in a public office. Picture: AFP In the latest development in the Epstein Files saga, Britain’s former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct while serving as a trade envoy from 2001 to 2011. On Thursday morning, six unmarked police cars and around eight plain-clothed officers were seen arriving at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate, where Andrew now resides.

Andrew’s arrest comes on the same day the former prince turns 66. Following the ex-royal’s dramatic arrest, Thames Valley Police confirmed in a statement that officers were searching two addresses (one in Berkshire and one in Norfolk) in relation to the arrest and that an investigation has been opened. “As part of the investigation, we have today (19 February 2026) arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office and are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk,” Thames Valley Police said in a statement, without naming the disgraced ex-royal.

Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing. “But that no-nonsense police statement still seems like a bluntly worded news earthquake.” Dal Babu, former Metropolitan Police Chief Superintendent, toldBBCthat pressure has been “growing and growing” over the last few weeks. New revelations in the released files of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein appear to show Andrew sent the convicted US sex offender potentially confidential documents during his time as a UK trade envoy.

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In a November 2010 email seen by AFP, Andrew appeared to share with Epstein reports on Vietnam, Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Singapore following an official visit to Asia. The ex-royal, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, also reportedly sent the American financier details of the trip, on which he was accompanied by Epstein’s business associates, along with investment opportunities months later.

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