Former Prince Andrew Arrested on His Birthday due to Epstein Case?

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Former Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, a senior member of the British royal family, faced a shocking arrest on Thursday, February 19, 2026, which happened on his 66th birthday.

He was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, as reported by CNN.

The arrest was made at his Wood Farm residence on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, eastern England, by Thames Valley Police.

This incident marked the first time in nearly four centuries that a senior member of the British royal family had been arrested.

The alleged misconduct in public office centers on allegations that Prince Andrew passed confidential government information to Jeffrey Epstein.

The police investigation specifically focused on his conduct between 2001 and 2011, the period when he served as Britain's trade envoy abroad.

The case resurfaced following the release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein by the US Department of Justice.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on the morning of Thursday, February 19, 2026, at his Sandringham Estate residence.

The arrest was made by Thames Valley Police, who had previously conducted surveillance in the area.

After his arrest, he was detained for several hours for intensive questioning regarding the alleged offenses he was accused of.

He is strongly suspected of leaking confidential government information to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender with extensive connections.

The period of focus of the investigation is between 2001 and 2011, when he actively represented the British government internationally.

After approximately 11 to 12 hours of detention, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was finally released on Thursday evening.

His release status is "under investigation," meaning the investigation is ongoing and he has not been formally charged or cleared of any charges.

In response to his brother's arrest, King Charles III issued an official statement affirming the royal family's commitment to the rule of law, stated that "the law must take its course" and affirmed that authorities have the royal family's "full and sincere support and cooperation."

King Charles III also emphasized that it would be inappropriate for him to make further comments while the legal process is ongoing.

The significance of this arrest lies not only in Prince Andrew's status, but also in his history.

This is an extremely rare event, marking the first time in nearly four centuries that a senior member of the British royal family has been arrested.

King Charles had previously stripped Andrew of his royal titles last year amid intense scrutiny over his friendship with Epstein and allegations made by Virginia Giuffre.

This case is closely linked to the case of Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died in 2019.

Prince Andrew's relationship with Epstein has been the subject of controversy for years, particularly following allegations from Virginia Giuffre.

Giuffre previously sued Prince Andrew for sexual abuse, claiming she was forced to have sex with him when he was a minor.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied any wrongdoing in all the allegations against him. He maintains that he has never engaged in any illegal or inappropriate activity.

In 2022, Prince Andrew reached an out-of-court settlement with Virginia Giuffre, although he continues to deny the allegations.

Virginia Giuffre herself died in April 2025, adding to the complexities surrounding Jeffrey Epstein's case.

The current investigation into alleged misconduct in public office is the latest chapter in a series of legal issues facing Prince Andrew.