Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office

[BumRushDaShow]

Last edited Thu Feb 19, 2026, 06:46 AM - Edit history (1)

Source: AP

Updated 6:13 AM EST, February 19, 2026


LONDON (AP) — U.K. police arrested Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Thames Valley Police, an agency that covers areas west of London, including Mountbatten-Windsor’s former home, said it was “assessing” reports that the former Prince Andrew sent trade reports to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2010.

The assessment followed the release of millions of pages of documents connected to a U.S. investigation of Epstein. Mountbatten-Windsor features a number of times in the documents. The police force did not name Mountbatten-Windsor, as is normal under U.K. law. But when asked if he had been arrested, the force pointed to a statement saying that they had arrested a man in his 60s. Mountbatten-Windsor is 66.

“Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office,’’ the statement said. “We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time.”

Mountbatten-Windsor has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in his relationship with Epstein. Last fall, King Charles III stripped Andrew of his royal titles, including the right to be called a prince, as he tried to insulate the monarchy from the continuing revelations about his younger brother’s relationship with Epstein. Those revelations have tarnished the royal family for more than a decade.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/britain-epstein-andrew-former-prince-arrested-fb0b9e738bf7ede10651914ee3f3583d

---

Just breaking (got the AP banner and my local radio news anchor broke in to say they had this "breaking news" to discuss "at the bottom of the hour".

Article updated.

Previous articles -

Updated 6:00 AM EST, February 19, 2026


LONDON (AP) -- U.K. police arrested Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

Thames Valley Police, an agency that covers areas west of London, including Mountbatten-Windsor's former home, said it was "assessing" reports that the former Prince Andrew sent trade reports to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2010. The assessment followed the release of millions of pages of documents connected to a U.S. investigation of Epstein.

The police force did not name Mountbatten-Windsor, as is normal under U.K. law. But when asked if he had been arrested, the force pointed to a statement saying that they had arrested a man in his 60s. Mountbatten-Windsor is 66.

"Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office,'' the statement said. "We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time." Mountbatten-Windsor has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in his relationship with Epstein.

Updated 5:42 AM EST, February 19, 2026


LONDON (AP) -- U.K. police arrested Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

The Thames Valley Police, an agency that covers areas west of London, including Mountbatten-Windsor's former home, said it was "assessing" reports that the former Prince Andrew sent trade reports to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2010. The assessment followed the release of millions of pages of documents connected to a U.S. investigation of Epstein.

The police force did not name Mountbatten-Windsor, as is normal under U.K. law. But when asked if he had been arrested, the force pointed to a statement saying that they had arrested a man in his 60s. Mountbatten-Windsor is 66.

"Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office,'' the statement said. "It is important that we protect the integrity and objectivity of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged offence."

Updated 5:32 AM EST, February 19, 2026


LONDON (AP) -- UK police arrested Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

The Thames Valley Police, an agency that covers areas west of London, including Mountbatten-Windsor's former home, said it was "assessing" reports that the former Prince Andrew sent trade reports to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2010. The assessment followed the release of millions of pages of documents gleaned under a U.S. investigation of Epstein.

The police force did not name Mountbatten-Windsor, as is normal under U.K. law. But when asked if he had been arrested, the force pointed to a statement saying that they had arrested a man in his 60s. Mountbatten-Windsor is 66.

"Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office,'' the statement said. "It is important that we protect the integrity and objectivity of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged offence." "We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time," the statement added.

Original article -

Updated 5:25 AM EST, February 19, 2026


LONDON (AP) -- A UK police force has arrested Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

The Thames Valley Police, an agency that covers areas west of London, including Mountbatten-Windsor's former home, said it was "assessing" reports that the former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, sent trade reports to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2010.

The police force did not name Mountbatten-Windsor, as is normal under U.K. law. But when asked if he had been arrested, the force pointed to a statement saying that they had arrested a man in his sixties.

"Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office,'' the statement said. "It is important that we protect the integrity and objectivity of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged offence.

[irisblue]

1. BBC.com has it as well

https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c70kjr9wjw0t


Summary
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office

Police say King Charles's brother is in custody and officers are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk - read the police statement in full

Photos show vehicles, believed to be police cars, arriving at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk earlier this morning

It comes after Thames Valley Police said they were assessing a complaint over the alleged sharing of confidential material by the former prince with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein

Andrew, who turns 66 today, has consistently and strenuously denied any wrongdoing

This is a breaking story, we'll bring you more shortly



well well well

[BumRushDaShow]

2. BBC was the first source I went to but they are doing it as a "Live Updates" which is not allowed in LBN

[Irish_Dem]

4. What time did BBC break the story?

One British forum I am on has still posted nothing.
I guess they are in shock like when the Queen died.

Another British forum posted the story about 5:26-5:27.
You posted 5:27.

So you posted as quick as one of the Brits did.

[muriel_volestrangler]

5. BBC opened their Live Updates on it at 10am UK time, 5am Eastern

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c70kjr9wjw0t

And it's Andrew's 66th birthday today! Hope he enjoys his present!

[Irish_Dem]

9. Thanks!

When the Queen died the Brits were in shock on the British forums I frequent.

BumRush posted the news here before they did.

I keep telling this story because I couldn't believe it.

Bum posts the story here on DU that the Queen has died.
I quickly go over to the British forums. Nothing there.

So I think Bum who is always meticulous about everything perhaps has made a mistake.
So I quickly come back to DU to see if she has pulled the story, but she hasn't.
So I keep going back and forth between DU and the British forums, which still have nothing.

I cannot figure what the H is going on.
Finally the Brits post the story too, but later than Bum!

So of course Bum was right as usual, and in fact beat the Brits with the news on
the British forums I follow.

[Irish_Dem]

12. Long overdue.

I never thought the Brits would do it.

Now we shall if Americans can hold their billionaires to account as well.

[FakeNoose]

30. As long as he diddled young women, they didn't care so much

But now the story is that Andrew ALSO gave away stock tips and trading info - at least to Epstein, and maybe others. Insider trading is a big no-no. And who knows, maybe this goes deeper ... Like maybe Andrew had access to top secret intelligence as well?

Let's see what they find out.

[Bengus81]

39. Basically a Martha Stewart type of charge. He won't serve a day in prison

[BumRushDaShow]

7. Not sure but as soon as I got the AP breaking banner (have their app on my iPhone)

and heard it on the radio, it was about 5:26 am ET and that is around when I went to BBC's website and it was there in HUGE font! But I also saw that it was a "Live Updates" version which is not allowed in LBN so I went with the AP version. Other news sources started breaking a few minutes later including CNBC, WaPo.

I still have some of the banners visible and apparently The Guardian had it about 5:11 am ET & CNN at about 5:12 am (but neither blared out an alert sound).

[Irish_Dem]

10. On one of the British forums they posted it about 5:26/7.

So I rushed back here to DU to see if you had posted it and your post popped up
at 5:27 about the same time.

One British forum had not posted it at all as of about 5:45a.
And they post something every time a royal sneezes.
So I am going to see if they finally posted it now.

EDT: They finally posted at 6:00am. So you scooped one British forum again!

[BumRushDaShow]

14. LOL

If I had looked at my phone 15 minutes earlier, I might have spotted The Guardian and CNN's mentions but unfortunately, both are "Live Updates" which I can't post here.

Fortunately AP had a "non-Live Updates" article although their normal publishing practice behaves like one with the constant and obsessive headline/story content updates (CNBC does the same).

[Irish_Dem]

17. Well you still beat the one forum.

And posted the same time as the other one.

I think the Brits cannot wrap their heads around some of these stories.
But the sentiment against Andrew and some of the other royal family members
is solidified more and more. The Brits are fed up with some of them.

Charles/Camilla/William/Catherine are held in high esteem.
Some of the others not so much.

[BumRushDaShow]

20. "Charles/Camilla/William/Catherine are held in high esteem."

But I remember when Camilla was looked at by some, in disdain (before they got married).

[Irish_Dem]

24. Oh yes, she was the bad one for quite some time.

But she kept her head down and did the public service she was supposed to do and then some. And she clearly loves Charles and is his biggest helper and supporter.

So the Brits have overlooked the past.
And they now realize that Diana was no saint either.

The Brits adore William/Kate/George/Charlotte/Louis.

[3catwoman3]

29. I will always look at her with disdain. Adulterer for decades gets rewarded...

…by being crowned Queen of England is rank hypocrisy.

[muriel_volestrangler]

35. She's good on sexual assault. She fought off an attacker as a teenager

“When I was a teenager, I was attacked on a train … I remember at the time being so angry,” she said during a discussion broadcast on Wednesday about violence against women.
...
The book said the incident happened on a train to Paddington Station in London when Camilla was about 16 or 17 years old, and she responded by taking off her shoe and using it to hit him in the genitals.

When she arrived at Paddington, she pointed the attacker out to an official and he was arrested, the book said.

https://www.nbcnews.com/world/united-kingdom/queen-camilla-speaks-first-time-assaulted-man-teenager-rcna251655

Rape survivor Gisèle Pelicot has said she felt "overwhelmed" and "very honoured" to receive a personal letter of support from Queen Camilla.

The Queen had commended Ms Pelicot for her "courage" and "grace", writing: "I very much wanted to write to express my heartfelt admiration for the courage, grace and dignity with which you have faced the horrific crimes committed against you."
...
The Queen is a long-standing campaigner on domestic and sexual violence and has worked with organisations that support survivors for years.

"Thank you for all that you have done," she wrote to Ms Pelicot.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckgl9vljk13o

[3catwoman3]

47. That's commendable. I still don't find her admirable.

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. "a shredding company was called in"

From yesterday's Private Eye:



(Private Eye is a half-satirical, half-investigative UK magazine ("Brian" is their nickname for King Charles - the reason for this was decades ago, and I don't know it), that often gets things well before the mainstream media. For instance, they also point out this week that in March 2009, they said Peter Mandelson, then UK Business Secretary, was talking to Jeffery Epstein about "the new Obama administration and the new powers on Wall Street" when he was serving a prison sentence for "soliciting sex from underage girls as young as 14". And pointed out then Epstein was a friend of Andrew.)

[Irish_Dem]

6. Will Americans still protect their billionaires now that the Brits are no longer protecting the royals?

[lostincalifornia]

8. Here is Bloomberg reporting on this:

Ex-Prince Andrew Arrested on Suspicion of Misconduct

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the brother of the UK’s King Charles, has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office after further details of his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein emerged.

Thames Valley Police confirmed that the force had opened an investigation into an offense of misconduct in public office, and had arrested a man in his sixties. Mountbatten-Windsor turned 66 on Thursday.

Emails released by the US Department of Justice last month showed Mountbatten-Windsor allegedly disclosing confidential government information to Epstein during his time as UK trade envoy, a position he held between 2001 and 2011, the BBC reported.

Mountbatten-Windsor has not been charged. Emails to a representative for his office weren’t immediately returned. The arrest of Mountbatten-Windsor appears to be the first of a UK royal since King Charles in the 17th century following his defeat in the English Civil War.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-19/andrew-mountbatten-windsor-arrested-on-suspicion-of-misconduct?srnd=homepage-americas

The contrast between the way our country is dealing with this is striking.

Bloomberg is now reporting about serious consideration being given to the U.S. striking Iran, and no one should be surprised if this becomes more likely, not because of Iran's possible intents of continuing its nuclear development, though that will be the cover story, but to distract away from the epstein connections, and those involved in this country.

[Hugin]

13. Yeah, one minute...

Iran’s nuclear capabilities are loudly “obliterated” and the next little Rubio is flop sweating into diplomatic furniture.

[Hugin]

11. Oh, my....

This is going to cause some ripples of ketchup.

[BumRushDaShow]

15. IOW

[Hugin]

18. There's ketchup in the water...

Link to tweet

(Sorry I couldn’t resist the irony of a former Twitter TikTok post.)

[BumRushDaShow]

22. That was bizarre

[Hugin]

38. Every time I look around...

It’s making me crazy.

[BumRushDaShow]

40. And that was from 30 years ago!

[NJCher]

26. If only

Pam Batty could see this!

[LetMyPeopleVote]

43. The ketchup alert status has been raised to KETCHCON 1!

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[QueerDuck]

16. From the Guardian... "we have today (19/2) arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk"

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/live/2026/feb/19/police-arrest-former-prince-andrew-mountbatten-windsor-sandringham-latest-updates

As part of the investigation, we have today (19/2) 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.

The man remains in police custody at this time.

We will not be naming the arrested man, as per national guidance. Please also remember that this case is now active so care should be taken with any publication to avoid being in contempt of court.

Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said: ‘Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office.

‘It is important that we protect the integrity and objectivity of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged offence.

‘We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time.’

[markodochartaigh]

19. At least they took

Andrew into custody before he was able to escape to some foreign country where wealthy pedophiles are safe from prosecution, like the US.

[spinbaby]

21. This could work out

Andrew is one of the few who could spill everything he knows without the danger of being killed and Charles seems willing to apply pressure to make that happen.

[FakeNoose]

33. Whatever Andrew says will be kept under wraps

... especially if it involves state secrets. For now it looks like insider-trading was going on, and perhaps Andrew gave info to Epstein who used it for making stock trades etc. It's speculation at this point, but the royal family apparently knew for a long time that Andrew was doing this stuff.

It's interesting that Andrew's former wife Sarah Ferguson was just "de-commissioned" yesterday. She was removed as the head of 6 different organizations and foundations that she owned or controlled.

[Jarqui]

23. Being a pedophile is one thing ...

that apparently can be tolerated for years without meaningful criminal investigation ...

But "sent trade reports" ... that's real "misconduct" and time to call the police!!

[NJCher]

27. Where is your sense of values?

[JustAnotherGen]

45. I think they are being

sarcastic.

[NJCher]

55. I know

I was joking, too.

[DinahMoeHum]

25. The PDF Formerly Known As Prince

[Miguelito Loveless]

28. So, child rape is ok,

But “sharing sensitive dara” is intolerable.

Got it.

[JustAnotherGen]

37. His brother knew

He knew this was coming. That's why he stripped him of his title. I think the Epstein files solidified the case.

[Miguelito Loveless]

41. Yes he knew

The whole family knew, and they knew for decades. They were completely happy ignoring his crimes as long as the public didn't find out. And even then they hid behind the legal system and helped protect him.

This is actually also true of the US government and Epstein. There is absolutely NO WAY that various intelligence services didn't know all of this was going on, and that they also helped thwart and real investigation into given all of the "powerful/rich men" involved. This has been hidden by multiple administrations since the 90s, perhaps earlier.

I really begin to question whether this country, this world, would not be better served by an asteroid strike and a start over. Maybe cetaceans will be better people.

[JustAnotherGen]

44. I think his brother knew the LEGAL

Action was coming. Beyond when it was going on. He knew it was coming.

The 'Corporation' made an active decision to push him out before the legal eagles in the UK came down on him like a ton of bricks.

Now what about his ex wife? Because that one needs to be hauled into the criminal justice system too.

[Miguelito Loveless]

46. Indeed

But the Windsors have know about the monster in their midst for decades. They chose silence.

[sop]

31. Epstein's MO is becoming clear: trafficking young women to wealthy, powerful and well-connected men,

then blackmailing them for useful information.

[Kira_Thomsen-Cheek]

32. As with Al Capone...

who the Feds nailed for tax evasion (yes? someone correct me if I am wrong) rather than all the gangster murdery shit he was doing, so perhaps the Thames Valley Police will get Andrew "Randy Andy" Mountbatten-Windsor on selling secrets (or whatever he has been charged with) instead of all the child rape shit he was doing.

At least, if there is justice in this world, he'll end up in the Big House. And I am not mad at that outcome. Bravo, UK police! About time.

[Bengus81]

34. That was what they got him on,no murders just tax evasion

[JustAnotherGen]

36. They got him on

Sharing secret govt information with Epstein.

Who else has had access to files that were just laying around . . . in a bathroom?

[LetMyPeopleVote]

42. Statement from King Charles

[hamsterjill]

48. Does he have the possibility of getting out on bail in the British system?

Or will he be held? I'm thinking the asshole is probably really missing his teddy bears about now!

[muriel_volestrangler]

49. He'll won't be held after being charged, for sure

I don't know if they're still questioning him, but there's a time limit (48 hours? Going from crime dramas) before they have to charge someone arrested, or release them. If charged, for a non-violent crime (this is about the info he saw as "trade envoy" ), they'd be released, with conditions such as handing over their passport, and maybe reporting regularly to a police station.

[muriel_volestrangler]

53. He has been "released under investigation" after nearly 12 hours

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been released under investigation following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office, Thames Valley police said.

The force said in a statement: “Thames Valley Police is able to provide an update in relation to an investigation into the offence of misconduct in public office.

“On Thursday we arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of
misconduct in public office. The arrested man has now been released
under investigation.

“We can also confirm that our searches in Norfolk have now concluded.”

Police searches at his former address, the Royal Lodge in Windsor, Berkshire, are ongoing.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/live/2026/feb/19/police-arrest-former-prince-andrew-mountbatten-windsor-sandringham-latest-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-6997664b8f08a7f0d0a79220#block-6997664b8f08a7f0d0a79220

[hamsterjill]

54. Thank you.

If I were Andrew, I'd watch myself, me thinks. Just sayin'...

[Talitha]

50. I feel so sorry for Andrew's daughters.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

51. MaddowBlog-Former Prince Andrew's arrest, Yoon Suk Yeol's sentence and the power of accountability

In many democracies, criminal suspects are often held accountable — even if they’re politically powerful, even if they’ve served at the highest levels.

In rapid succession:
- former British royal arrested
- former Korean president sentenced
- former Norwegian PM charged
- former French and Brazilian presidents imprisoned

And then there’s Trump and the Republican-appointed justices on the U.S. Supreme Court.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...

— Steve Benen (@stevebenen.com) 2026-02-19T13:49:49.711Z

https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/former-prince-andrews-arrest-yoon-suk-yeols-sentence-and-the-power-of-accountability

But by any fair measure, the most dramatic development to date is the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, better known as the United Kingdom’s former Prince Andrew. The Thames Valley Police took the former royal into custody on Thursday morning on suspicion of misconduct in public office. While the specific details of the criminal allegations are not yet known, BBC News reported that the arrest “comes after Thames Valley Police said they were assessing a complaint over the alleged sharing of confidential material by the former prince” with the late sex offender....

Indeed, right around the time the world was learning of the former prince’s arrest, the public also learned that former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to life imprisonment, having been convicted of overseeing a 2024 insurrection attempt that sparked a constitutional crisis in the country.

One week earlier, former Norwegian Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland was charged with “gross corruption” over his Epstein ties......

In stable, advanced democracies around the globe, it’s not uncommon to see governments hold criminal suspects accountable — even if they’re politically powerful, and even if they served at the highest levels.

Italy prosecuted a former prime minister. France prosecuted a former prime minister, in addition to Sarkozy. South Africa prosecuted a former president. South Korea prosecuted a former president before sending a different former president to prison. Israel has prosecuted more than one former prime minister. Germany prosecuted a former president. Portugal prosecuted a former prime minister. Croatia prosecuted a former prime minister. Argentina prosecuted a former president. Austria prosecuted a former chancellor. Pakistan prosecuted a former prime minister.......

And then there’s the United States, where Republican-appointed Supreme Court justices ruled in 2024 that Donald Trump, at the time a former president, was immune from prosecution for any possible crimes he might have committed while carrying out his duties. (Trump is also shielded from legal accountability during his tenure in the White House under existing Justice Department policy.)

In other words, we’ve reached a point at which British authorities can hold the king’s brother accountable, but American authorities are out of luck when it comes to Trump, no matter how much evidence they’ve compiled documenting the Republican’s alleged felonies.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

52. The family of Virginia Giuffre have released a statement following the arrest of Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

Link to tweet