Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style

Why was Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested in February 2026?

Written and fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, was arrested on February 18, 2026, on suspicion of misuse of public office. The charges stem from the January 30 release of millions of documents from the Epstein files that included new emails exchanges between Mountbatten-Windsor and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In one instance it appears that he forwarded to Epstein confidential reports from his visits to Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Singapore in 2010 that were the product of his role as a British trade envoy.

Charles III, who previously had stripped his brother of his title of prince, acknowledged the arrest in a statement that was stunning in the directness of its wording. In it, the king said in part: β€œLet me state clearly: the law must take its course.”