On Feb. 19, 2026, his 66th birthday, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Thames Valley Police said they had arrested a man in his 60s from Norfolk and were searching addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk. As is standard in Britain, police didn’t name him, but they pointed reporters to their statement when asked. Unmarked police cars were seen at his home on the Sandringham estate. He was released under investigation later that day.

The case grew out of the U.S. Justice Department’s release of Epstein files. Earlier in February the force said it was assessing reports that, as Britain’s special envoy for international trade, he had sent confidential trade reports to Epstein in 2010. Misconduct in public office is a common-law offense that can carry a life sentence and must be tried in Crown Court.

The arrest was a first in modern times for a senior royal. Buckingham Palace said it was not told in advance. King Charles said he had learned the news with the deepest concern and called for a full, fair and proper process. Andrew had already been stripped of his prince title in October 2025 and ordered out of his Windsor home.

He has consistently denied wrongdoing in his friendship with Epstein and had not responded to requests for comment on the latest documents. Four days later, police arrested Peter Mandelson in a parallel case.