On February 19, 2026, the United Kingdom witnessed a moment unprecedented in its modern royal history: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, was arrested by Thames Valley Police on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The arrest, which unfolded at King Charles’s private Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, sent shockwaves through both the British public and the broader international community. It marked the first time a senior royal had been detained in connection with the sprawling Jeffrey Epstein scandal, following the release of more than three million documents, photos, and videos by the U.S. Department of Justice just days earlier.
Andrew’s arrest was directly tied to his longstanding relationship with Epstein, the late convicted sex offender whose connections to the world’s elite have been the subject of global scrutiny and outrage. According to CBC and Reuters, police were investigating claims that Andrew sent confidential trade information to Epstein in 2010, during his tenure as Britain’s special envoy for international trade. The latest batch of Epstein files also revealed further allegations, including reports that Epstein transported a second woman to the U.K. for a sexual encounter with Andrew, as reported by SAN and the Associated Press.
After being taken into custody, Andrew was photographed leaving Aylsham Police Station in the back of a vehicle around 7 p.m. local time, having spent nearly 11 hours with investigators. Thames Valley Police confirmed that he was released under investigation, meaning he has neither been charged nor exonerated. As police searches continued at royal properties in Norfolk and Windsor, Andrew’s future—and that of the monarchy’s reputation—hung in the balance.
The response from Buckingham Palace was swift but measured. King Charles, Andrew’s elder brother, issued a written statement expressing the Royal Family’s “full and wholehearted support and co-operation” with the ongoing police investigation. Yet, for many, this assurance rang hollow. Graham Smith, CEO of the anti-monarchist group Republic, called on the monarch to “end the cultural secrecy around the royals” and to face the press directly. In an interview with CBC Radio’s As It Happens, Smith argued, “At the moment, they are refusing to answer even the most basic questions of journalists, and they’re just hiding behind these statements, which they are hoping will be enough to convince people that they’ve somehow given the blessing to the police. But the police don’t need their blessing.”
Public reaction in London was immediate and intense. Outside Buckingham Palace, crowds gathered, some expressing surprise, others satisfaction. Maxim Kyrychuk, a Londoner, told CBC, “When I found out, I was quite celebratory, I was quite happy. I hope that through this, the public gets more information on what has been secret for so long.” Another bystander, Ross Thompson, visiting from Pennsylvania, noted, “I think it’s more than what we’re doing in the States where all of this has started, and all of this has stemmed from. I think it’s awesome that they did arrest him and shows that nobody is that protected.”
Mixed sentiments persisted throughout the city. Michael Temple, a retired university professor, remarked to Reuters, “It’s just, I suppose, a sign of the world we live in where power has no responsibility, no ethics. And I mean, he [Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor] comes from a background of corruption, being above the law.” Meanwhile, Floyd Stevenson, a self-described royalist attending London Fashion Week, reflected, “I do follow the Royal Family. I do support them. So hearing that from a member of the Royal Family is really, you know—it’s the last straw, isn’t it, really.”
For Andrew, the arrest came after years of mounting scrutiny and isolation from the royal inner circle. He had already been stripped of his official duties and titles following allegations made by Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s most prominent accusers. Giuffre has alleged that she was trafficked to Britain to have sex with Andrew in 2001, when she was just 17. The former prince has always denied the allegations and claimed to have never met Giuffre. However, a 2015 email, included among the millions of newly released Epstein documents, appeared to confirm the authenticity of a photograph showing Andrew with his arm around Giuffre.
Giuffre’s family released an emotional statement after Andrew’s arrest, saying, “Today, our broken hearts have been lifted at the news that no one is above the law, not even royalty. He was never a prince. For survivors everywhere, Virginia did this for you.” The family’s words resonated with many who have long sought accountability for those implicated in Epstein’s crimes.
While the U.K. took decisive action, the United States has faced criticism for its comparatively slow response. According to SAN, the only Americans formally charged in connection with Epstein remain Ghislaine Maxwell and Epstein himself. Several prominent figures in business, academia, and law—including Leon Black and Jes Staley—have resigned from their positions following revelations in the Epstein files but have not faced criminal charges. The U.S. House Oversight Committee continues to investigate Epstein’s connections, with probes into former President Bill Clinton and his wife, Hillary Clinton, as well as calls from Republicans for more scrutiny on Clinton and from Democrats on Donald Trump.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that investigations are ongoing but declined to specify targets. “We have pending investigations in our office,” Bondi testified before the House Judiciary Committee. The FBI, led by Director Kash Patel, has compiled a list of accusations against prominent men based on tips and interviews since Epstein’s 2019 arrest. Patel stated that information on whether Epstein trafficked women to anyone other than himself remains limited.
The release of the Epstein files has also spurred legislative action in the U.S. In February 2026, lawmakers in New Mexico passed a bill to establish a truth commission tasked with investigating activities at Epstein’s Zorro Ranch. The commission aims to identify ranch guests and state officials who may have been aware of alleged trafficking and assaults, according to Reuters.
Meanwhile, in Britain, the legal process will take its course. If police determine there is sufficient evidence, the case against Andrew will be forwarded to the Crown Prosecution Service, which will decide whether to pursue charges. For now, Andrew remains under investigation, his fate uncertain, and the world watching closely.
As the dust settles on this historic arrest, the message seems clear: the era of unassailable privilege for the powerful may be fading, replaced—however slowly—by demands for transparency, accountability, and justice.