02/19/2026
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested and is in custody on suspicion of misconduct in public office - read the police statement in full
The King's brother was arrested at 08:00 this morning at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk - how the news broke
What is misconduct in a public office? Our legal correspondent explains
King Charles says he "learned with the deepest concern" of Andrew's arrest, adding "the law must take its course" - Prince William and Catherine are understood to support the statement - read it here
The King was not informed in advance of the arrest, the BBC understands
Police are searching addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk, including the Royal Lodge in Windsor where the former prince lived until recently
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 s*x offender Jeffrey Epstein
Andrew, who turns 66 today, has previously denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein; he has not responded to the BBC's requests for comment on the specific allegations in relation to the release of millions of Epstein files in January
We now know that at about 08:00 police officers arrived at the Sandringham Estate, where Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been staying, to arrest him.
A news agency captured pictures of unmarked police cars arriving and plain clothes officers.
At 09:54, the BBC was the first to confirm that Andrew had been arrested in relation to misconduct in a public office. The news broke on all our platforms moments later.
Shortly after, Thames Valley Police released a statement confirming that a man in his sixties had been arrested and was in custody, and they were carrying out searches at addresses in Norfolk and Berkshire.
The BBC saw uniformed officers at Royal Lodge in Windsor, where Andrew had lived until recently.
The extraordinary morning ended with statement from the King at midday, saying he had learned with “the deepest concern” of Andrew’s arrest and that “the law must take its course".
The King had not been informed in advance that an arrest would take place today.
