Prince Andrew, the younger brother of King Charles III (full name Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor), has been released under investigation following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Thames Valley Police confirmed that searches at Royal Lodge in Berkshire—his former residence—are ongoing after the 66-year-old was taken into custody on Wednesday, February 19, 2026.
Being released under investigation means he is not currently subject to bail conditions but remains liable to be re-interviewed or rearrested as inquiries progress.
In a brief statement, King Charles III said “the law must take its course” and confirmed that the royal household is providing full cooperation with authorities. Buckingham Palace emphasised that the King was not informed of the arrest in advance and will make no further public comment while the matter is active.
Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, are understood to support the King’s position of non-interference in the legal process.
The arrest relates to long-standing allegations connected to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Prince Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has not issued a public response to the specific claims tied to the current investigation.
Police activity at Royal Lodge continues as detectives assess whether sufficient evidence exists to refer the case to the Crown Prosecution Service for potential charges.
The development follows months of renewed scrutiny after the publication of Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir (she died by suicide in April 2025) and recent disclosures of Epstein-related communications reportedly linked to Andrew.
The investigation has intensified public and media attention on the British royal family’s handling of historical allegations against senior members, raising questions about institutional accountability and public trust.
