LONDON, United Kingdom — In a major development following new revelations from the “Epstein files,” the Thames Valley Police have arrested Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
The arrest, confirmed on February 20, 2026, follows a thorough assessment of allegations that the King’s brother shared sensitive trade reports with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2010.
Key Details of the Investigation:
- The Allegations: Reports suggest that while serving as a UK trade envoy, Mountbatten-Windsor sent internal trade documents to Epstein. This has led to the formal opening of a “misconduct in public office” investigation.
- Police Statement: While the Thames Valley Police did not explicitly name the former Prince—adhering to UK privacy laws—they confirmed the arrest of a man in his sixties in connection with the case. When asked for confirmation, the force pointed to their official statement on the investigation into this specific alleged offense.
- Scope of Authority: Thames Valley Police covers the jurisdiction including Windsor, the location of the former Prince’s residence.
- Andrew’s Response: Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently and repeatedly denied any wrongdoing throughout the long-standing controversy surrounding his association with Epstein.
Context of the Fallout
The arrest is part of a broader “fallout” from recently unsealed or newly surfaced Epstein files, which have continued to mar the reputations of several high-profile figures across Europe. Prince Andrew had already been stripped of his royal duties and military titles in 2022 following a civil sexual assault lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre, which was later settled out of court.
The Thames Valley Police emphasized the need to protect the “integrity and objectivity” of the investigation as they work with various partners to probe the alleged 2010 documents exchange.