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Prince Andrew’s Arrest Leads to Ongoing Searches of Royal Residences and Royal Family’s Public Support

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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
  • Republican congressman Thomas Massie (L) and Democratic lawmaker Ro Khanna (R) have urged US federal officials to follow the example of their British counterparts (file pic)
    Republican congressman Thomas Massie (L) and Democratic lawmaker Ro Khanna (R) have urged US federal officials to follow the example of their British counterparts (file pic)
    Image: BBC
    Republican congressman Thomas Massie (L) and Democratic lawmaker Ro Khanna (R) have urged US federal officials to follow the example of their British counterparts (file pic) (AFP via Getty Images) Source Full size
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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
  • 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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  • Two addresses are being searched following the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
    Two addresses are being searched following the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
    Image: BBC
    Two addresses are being searched following the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (PA Media) 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
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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
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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
  • 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
  • Republican congressman Thomas Massie (L) and Democratic lawmaker Ro Khanna (R) have urged US federal officials to follow the example of their British counterparts (file pic)
    Republican congressman Thomas Massie (L) and Democratic lawmaker Ro Khanna (R) have urged US federal officials to follow the example of their British counterparts (file pic)
    Image: BBC
    Republican congressman Thomas Massie (L) and Democratic lawmaker Ro Khanna (R) have urged US federal officials to follow the example of their British counterparts (file pic) (AFP via Getty Images) Source Full size
  • Mountbatten-Windsor was stripped of his titles last year
    Mountbatten-Windsor was stripped of his titles last year
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    Mountbatten-Windsor was stripped of his titles last year (PA Media) 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
  • Two addresses are being searched following the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
    Two addresses are being searched following the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
    Image: BBC
    Two addresses are being searched following the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (PA Media) 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
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    Vehicles, believed to be unmarked police cars, near Mountbatten-Windsor's Sandringham home on Thursday morning (Bav Media) 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
  • 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 and Immediate Release on Prince Andrew’s 66th Birthday On 19 February 2026, the day he turned 66, Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor was taken into custody by Thames Valley Police on suspicion of misconduct in public office, linked to 2010 emails that show him forwarding confidential trade reports to Jeffrey Epstein while serving as a UK trade envoy [15][9][11]. He was held for roughly 11 hours, photographed, fingerprinted and then released “under investigation” without charge [9][7][5]. The detention marks the first arrest of a senior British royal in almost four centuries, the previous being King Charles I in the 1640s [9][10][5].

Police Searches Extend to Multiple Royal Residences Officers entered Andrew’s former Windsor home, Royal Lodge, and his Sandringham‑estate dwelling, Wood Farm, as well as other Berkshire and Norfolk addresses, seizing documents and electronic records [1][6][11]. The Sandringham search concluded on 20 February, while the Royal Lodge investigation continues [1][16]. Thames Valley Police coordinated with the National Crime Agency and requested additional material from the UK government and U.S. authorities [16][5].

Royal Family’s Public Support and Constitutional Response King Charles III issued a statement expressing “deepest concern” and insisting that “the law must take its course,” pledging full and wholehearted cooperation with police [2][4][10]. Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, are reported to have backed the king’s remarks, presenting a united front amid the crisis [2]. The monarch deliberately avoided reference to familial ties, focusing on institutional integrity [4][11].

Legal Context and International Reactions Legal commentators note that proving misconduct in public office requires establishing that the subject acted as a public officer, willfully abused public trust and lacked a reasonable excuse, a test the Crown Prosecution Service has rarely applied to a senior royal [1][6][15]. U.S. lawmakers, including Rep. Jake Auchincloss, called for comparable accountability in America, while President Donald Trump labeled the episode “very sad” for the royal family [3][14][13]. Survivors’ groups welcomed the arrest as a step toward justice, emphasizing that no one is above the law [3][8][9].

Sources

Timeline

1640s – The arrest of Prince Andrew marks the first detention of a senior British royal since the 17th‑century arrest of King Charles I, highlighting the historic rarity of such legal action against the monarchy [8].

Nov 2010 – An email shows Andrew forwards a confidential UK‑funded Asian trip report to Jeffrey Epstein while serving as a trade envoy, a key piece of evidence that later triggers the misconduct probe [4].

9 Feb 2011 – Andrew emails Epstein a private‑equity investment brief for Afghanistan’s reconstruction, further linking the former prince to the financier’s network [4].

2011 – Allegations surface that Andrew asked a close‑protection officer to investigate Virginia Giuffre; the Metropolitan Police later close the review without finding new evidence [24][25].

2021 – Andrew settles a civil sexual‑assault lawsuit with Virginia Giuffre in New York for an undisclosed sum, a settlement that does not admit liability but fuels ongoing scrutiny [13].

Apr 2025 – Virginia Giuffre dies by suicide, intensifying public and media focus on the allegations against Andrew [13][23][24][25].

Oct 2025 – King Charles III strips Andrew of his princely title, Duke of York style and royal patronages and orders his eviction from the Royal Lodge, a decisive move to distance the Crown from the scandal [13][14][15][16][17][22].

Nov 2025 – The U.S. House Oversight Committee publicly urges Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor to testify before Congress, marking a trans‑Atlantic demand for his cooperation [22].

Nov 2025 – President Donald Trump signs the “Epstein Files Transparency Act,” mandating the release of millions of DOJ‑held Epstein documents [11].

22 Dec 2025 – A newly released Epstein photo shows Andrew lying across the laps of five women at Sandringham’s Christmas Saloon, reigniting media criticism during the royal holiday season [23].

31 Jan 2026 – DOJ‑released images depict Andrew crouching over a clothed woman, and an August 2010 email chain arranges a private dinner with a 26‑year‑old Russian “friend” of Epstein, prompting Prime Minister Keir Starmer to call for congressional testimony [22].

2 Feb 2026 – The U.S. Justice Department publishes over three million pages of Epstein‑related material, including 2,000 videos and 180,000 images that reference Andrew hundreds of times, expanding the evidentiary base for investigations [19][20][21].

3 Feb 2026 – A new civil claimant, represented by Brad Edwards, alleges a 2010 sexual encounter with Andrew arranged by Epstein, though statutes of limitation likely bar a lawsuit [18].

4 Feb 2026 – Andrew relocates from the Royal Lodge to Wood Farm Cottage on the Sandringham estate under the king’s cover, accelerating his move after the February DOJ document dump [15][16][17].

19 Feb 2026 – Thames Valley Police arrest Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor at Sandringham on suspicion of misconduct in public office for allegedly forwarding confidential trade reports to Epstein; he is photographed, fingerprinted and later released under investigation [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][12][13][14][26][27][28][29].

19 Feb 2026 – After roughly 11 hours in custody, Andrew is released without charge, photographed leaving Aylsham police station, while police confirm searches of his Norfolk home are complete and the investigation remains active [9][28][29].

19 Feb 2026 – U.S. lawmakers, including Rep. Thomas Massie and Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, call on the United States to pursue accountability for Epstein associates and welcome the “huge breakthrough” of Andrew’s arrest [2].

19 Feb 2026 – President Donald Trump, speaking on Air Force One, calls the arrest “very sad” for the royal family and references King Charles III’s upcoming April state visit [11][26].

20 Feb 2026 – Police continue a search of Andrew’s former Royal Lodge residence while confirming he remains under investigation and no charges have been filed [6].

20 Feb 2026 – King Charles III issues a brief statement reaffirming “the law must take its course,” pledging full cooperation with police and refusing further comment as the probe proceeds [1][7].

Apr 2026 (planned) – King Charles III is scheduled to make a state visit to the United States, a diplomatic event that will occur amid heightened scrutiny of the royal family’s handling of the Andrew case [11].

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