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Police Extend Searches of Prince Andrew’s Former Residences After 11‑Hour Arrest

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  • Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor rides a horse in Windsor Great Park, near Royal Lodge, earlier this month
    Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor rides a horse in Windsor Great Park, near Royal Lodge, earlier this month
    Image: BBC
    Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor rides a horse in Windsor Great Park, near Royal Lodge, earlier this month (Reuters) Source Full size
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  • Andrew photographed leaving Aylsham Police Station following his arrest earlier on Thursday
    Andrew photographed leaving Aylsham Police Station following his arrest earlier on Thursday
    Image: BBC
    Andrew photographed leaving Aylsham Police Station following his arrest earlier on Thursday (Reuters) Source Full size
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  • President Donald Trump speaks with reporters aboard Air Force One, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, en route to Washington from West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
    President Donald Trump speaks with reporters aboard Air Force One, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, en route to Washington from West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
    Image: Newsweek
    President Donald Trump speaks with reporters aboard Air Force One, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, en route to Washington from West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) Source Full size
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  • Then-Prince Andrew and King Charles III attend Katharine, Duchess of Kent’s funeral at London’s Westminster Cathedral on September 16, 2025.
    Then-Prince Andrew and King Charles III attend Katharine, Duchess of Kent’s funeral at London’s Westminster Cathedral on September 16, 2025.
    Image: Newsweek
    Then-Prince Andrew and King Charles III attend Katharine, Duchess of Kent’s funeral at London’s Westminster Cathedral on September 16, 2025. Source Full size
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  • Following Andrew's arrest, the King said the authorities have 'our full and wholehearted support and cooperation'
    Following Andrew's arrest, the King said the authorities have 'our full and wholehearted support and cooperation'
    Image: BBC
    Following Andrew's arrest, the King said the authorities have 'our full and wholehearted support and cooperation' (PA) Source Full size
  • Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor—formerly Prince Andrew The Duke of York—seen riding in Windsor in October 2025 before he officially moved out of his residence at Royal Lodge (AP)
    Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor—formerly Prince Andrew The Duke of York—seen riding in Windsor in October 2025 before he officially moved out of his residence at Royal Lodge (AP)
    Image: Newsweek
    Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor—formerly Prince Andrew The Duke of York—seen riding in Windsor in October 2025 before he officially moved out of his residence at Royal Lodge (AP) Source Full size
  • Following Andrew's arrest, the King said the authorities have 'our full and wholehearted support and cooperation'
    Following Andrew's arrest, the King said the authorities have 'our full and wholehearted support and cooperation'
    Image: BBC
    Following Andrew's arrest, the King said the authorities have 'our full and wholehearted support and cooperation' (PA) Source Full size
  • There can be little doubt of the struggle the King has had, balancing family loyalty and his duty to the crown
    There can be little doubt of the struggle the King has had, balancing family loyalty and his duty to the crown
    Image: BBC
    There can be little doubt of the struggle the King has had, balancing family loyalty and his duty to the crown (Reuters) Source Full size
  • Andrew photographed leaving Aylsham Police Station following his arrest earlier on Thursday
    Andrew photographed leaving Aylsham Police Station following his arrest earlier on Thursday
    Image: BBC
    Andrew photographed leaving Aylsham Police Station following his arrest earlier on Thursday (Reuters) Source Full size
  • Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor rides a horse in Windsor Great Park, near Royal Lodge, earlier this month
    Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor rides a horse in Windsor Great Park, near Royal Lodge, earlier this month
    Image: BBC
    Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor rides a horse in Windsor Great Park, near Royal Lodge, earlier this month (Reuters) Source Full size
  • Vehicles, believed to be unmarked police cars, near Mountbatten-Windsor's Sandringham home on Thursday morning
    Vehicles, believed to be unmarked police cars, near Mountbatten-Windsor's Sandringham home on Thursday morning
    Image: BBC
    Vehicles, believed to be unmarked police cars, near Mountbatten-Windsor's Sandringham home on Thursday morning (Bav Media) Source Full size
  • Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor—formerly Prince Andrew The Duke of York—seen riding in Windsor in October 2025 before he officially moved out of his residence at Royal Lodge (AP)
    Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor—formerly Prince Andrew The Duke of York—seen riding in Windsor in October 2025 before he officially moved out of his residence at Royal Lodge (AP)
    Image: Newsweek
    Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor—formerly Prince Andrew The Duke of York—seen riding in Windsor in October 2025 before he officially moved out of his residence at Royal Lodge (AP) Source Full size
  • Image: Newsweek
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  • Then-Prince Andrew and King Charles III attend Katharine, Duchess of Kent’s funeral at London’s Westminster Cathedral on September 16, 2025.
    Then-Prince Andrew and King Charles III attend Katharine, Duchess of Kent’s funeral at London’s Westminster Cathedral on September 16, 2025.
    Image: Newsweek
    Then-Prince Andrew and King Charles III attend Katharine, Duchess of Kent’s funeral at London’s Westminster Cathedral on September 16, 2025. Source Full size
  • President Donald Trump speaks with reporters aboard Air Force One, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, en route to Washington from West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
    President Donald Trump speaks with reporters aboard Air Force One, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, en route to Washington from West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
    Image: Newsweek
    President Donald Trump speaks with reporters aboard Air Force One, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, en route to Washington from West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) Source Full size
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Arrest on 66th Birthday Triggers Historic Royal Detention Prince Andrew, 66, was taken into custody on 19 February 2026 at the Sandringham estate in Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office, marking the first arrest of a senior British royal since the 1640s [14][11][3]. He was identified as a “man in his sixties from Norfolk” and released later that evening without charge, remaining under investigation [5][9]. The detention lasted roughly 11 hours, after which he was photographed leaving Aylsham police station [7][20].

Investigation Centers on 2010 Trade‑Info Emails to Jeffrey Epstein Prosecutors are reviewing 2010 emails that show Andrew, then Britain’s special envoy for international trade, forwarded confidential reports on Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore and a Helmand‑province reconstruction brief to Jeffrey Epstein [14][6][12]. The U.S. Department of Justice’s recently released “Epstein Files” provided the documentary basis for the misconduct inquiry [9][18]. Andrew has denied any wrongdoing, and the probe does not involve sexual‑offence allegations [10][16].

Police Conduct Searches at Multiple Royal Properties Thames Valley Police raided Andrew’s former Windsor residence, Royal Lodge, and his Sandringham home, Wood Farm, as part of the investigation [5][11][14]. Searches at the Norfolk site concluded on 20 February, while a separate sweep of the Sandringham estate was still underway [1][4]. Officers seized electronic devices and documented evidence, but have not disclosed further details to protect the integrity of the inquiry [17][15].

King Charles Issues Unified Statement and Highlights Title Removal King Charles III released a brief statement on 19 February expressing “deepest concern” and affirming that “the law must take its course,” while pledging “full and wholehearted support and cooperation” with police [14][10][2]. The monarch had already stripped Andrew of his princely title and royal duties in October 2025, a move intended to protect the monarchy’s reputation [16][13][19]. Senior royals, including Prince William and Catherine, have publicly backed the king’s stance [2][4].

Legal Experts Note High Burden for Misconduct in Public Office Charge Misconduct in public office is a rare common‑law offence carrying a maximum life sentence, requiring prosecutors to prove the defendant acted as a public officer, willfully abused public trust, and lacked a reasonable excuse [14][6][1]. Criminal‑defence lawyer Sean Caulfield warned that the ambiguous definition of a “public‑office role” could hinder a conviction [1]. The Crown Prosecution Service will apply its two‑stage test—assessing evidential sufficiency and public interest—before deciding on formal charges [1][14].

Sources

Timeline

1960 – Andrew is born as the third child of Queen Elizabeth II, later serving as a helicopter pilot in the Royal Navy. [14]

1982 – He flies combat missions during the Falklands War, gaining military experience that later underpins his royal profile. [14]

2001 – He is appointed Britain’s special representative for international trade and investment, earning the nickname “Air Miles Andy” for his taxpayer‑funded travel. [14]

2011 – He gives a disastrous BBC Newsnight interview about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, igniting intense public and media scrutiny. [8]

2019 – He appears in a BBC interview arranged by Queen Elizabeth II, further damaging his reputation and prompting calls for his removal from royal duties. [5]

2021 – He settles a civil sexual‑assault lawsuit with Virginia Giuffre for an undisclosed sum, avoiding a trial but cementing the scandal’s impact. [14]

2022 – He loses all military titles and royal patronages and stops using “His Royal Highness,” marking the first major step to isolate him from official duties. [8]

2024 – A UK court case reveals his association with a businessman suspected of Chinese espionage, raising national security concerns. [14]

Oct 2025 – King Charles III strips Andrew of his princely title and evicts him from the Royal Lodge, aiming to protect the monarchy’s integrity. [5],[2]

Feb 19 2026 (08:00 GMT) – Police arrest Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor at Sandringham on his 66th birthday on suspicion of misconduct in public office, the first senior‑royal arrest in almost 400 years. [3],[13],[16]

Feb 19 2026 (≈11 hrs later) – He is released from Aylsham police station under investigation, photographed leaving the station; no charges are filed. [9],[19],[20]

Feb 19 2026 – Searches are carried out at Royal Lodge, Wood Farm and other Berkshire and Norfolk addresses, focusing on alleged sharing of confidential trade documents with Jeffrey Epstein. [10],[13],[16]

Feb 19 2026 – King Charles III issues a statement expressing “deepest concern” and declaring that “the law must take its course,” pledging full cooperation with police. [2],[5],[7]

Feb 19 2026 – Survivors’ families, including Virginia Giuffre’s relatives, hail the arrest as a “win for survivors,” saying it proves no one is above the law. [4],[18],[19]

Feb 19 2026 – U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss calls for comparable accountability in America, while President Donald Trump calls the episode “very sad” for the royal family. [4],[11]

Feb 20 2026 – Police continue searches at Royal Lodge in Windsor, confirm the Norfolk search is complete, and state the investigation remains active. [12]

Feb 20 2026 – Legal experts explain that a misconduct‑in‑public‑office charge requires proof of willful abuse of public trust and can carry a life sentence, highlighting the case’s complexity. [3],[16]

Feb 20 2026 – Royal historian Kate Williams warns the crisis could become the biggest post‑Diana challenge for the monarchy, threatening its public standing. [5]

Apr 2026 (planned) – King Charles III is scheduled to make a state visit to the United States, linking the royal controversy to upcoming diplomatic events. [11]

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