Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on Feb. 19, 2026, over his connection to Jeffrey Epstein.
The former prince was apprehended at his Sandringham Estate residence in eastern England — on the same day of his 66th birthday — on suspicion of misconduct in public office for allegedly sending confidential trade documents to the late rapist and pedophile.
Without mentioning Andrew by name, Thames Valley Police released a statement at the time, saying that they had “arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office and are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk.”
“Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office,” Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said after Andrew’s arrest.
“It is important that we protect the integrity and objectivity of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged offence. We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time.”
The disgraced prince could face a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted. As we wait for further details on the investigation, Page Six is breaking down everything we know about Andrew’s scandal thus far — stemming from his early friendship with Epstein to his shocking birthday bust.
1999
According to Andrew, he first met Epstein in 1999 through Ghislaine Maxwell, the disgraced financier’s girlfriend at the time.
“Well I met [Jeffrey] through his girlfriend back in 1999 … I’d known her since she was at university in the UK and it would be, to some extent, a stretch to say that as it were we were close friends,” Andrew later explained during his infamous BBC “Newsnight” interview in 2019.
“I mean, we were friends because of other people, and I had a lot of opportunity to go to the United States but I didn’t have much time with him.”
2000
Epstein and Maxwell attended a party at Windsor Castle hosted by Queen Elizabeth II to celebrate Andrew’s 40th birthday.
The event marked one of the first documented meetings between Epstein and the former Prince Andrew.
2001
Virginia Giuffre (who at the time was Virginia Roberts prior to her marriage to Robert Giuffre) accused Andrew of raping her in 2001 when she was 17 years old.
She alleged that she had been sex trafficked by Epstein, fearing for her life if she refused to have sex with the then-prince.
2008
Epstein was jailed after he pleaded guilty to Florida state charges of procuring a child for prostitution and soliciting a prostitute.
2009
Epstein was released from his 13-month jail sentence.
2010
Following Epstein’s release from jail, he was photographed walking in New York City’s Central Park with Andrew by his side as they conversed.
The former prince later claimed that the meeting was to end their friendship and that he wanted to end it in person.
2011
Andrew resigned as UK trade envoy (a role he was given in 2001 to promote British business interests abroad) amid his ties to Epstein.
The then-prince claimed at the time that he had ended all contact with Epstein.
2015
Giuffre reported her allegations and filed papers in Florida for a civil case, alleging that she was forced to have sex with Andrew on three occasions between 2001 and 2002 when she was still 17.
The Metropolitan Police, however, conducted interviews with Giuffre and other suspected Epstein victims.
They concluded at the time that their accounts “did not result in any allegation of criminal conduct against any UK-based nationals.”
2019
Andrew was interviewed on the BBC’s “Newsnight” program about his relationship with Epstein in 2019.
The then-prince insisted he had no recollection of ever meeting Giuffre — or of a photo being taken of the pair together that showed him with his arm around her waist.
Andrew claimed that he was at home with his daughters — Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie — after a party at PizzaExpress in Woking, Surrey, on March 10, 2001, the day of one of the alleged encounters.
The “Newsnight” interview backfired, however, and Andrew announced that he was stepping back from royal duties a few days later amid the backlash.
This same year, Epstein was arrested in NYC and federally charged with sex trafficking of minors and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors.
The convicted rapist and pedophile died by suicide at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York on Aug. 10, 2019, while awaiting trial.
2021
Giuffre filed a civil case against Andrew in a US federal court for sexual assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress. She sought undisclosed damages from the then-prince.
2022
Andrew, who has always denied the allegations, settled the civil lawsuit brought by Giuffre while denying liability.
Although the pair settled for an undisclosed sum, it was reported that the amount was in the region of $12 million.
2025
Giuffre died by suicide at her home in Western Australia on April 25, 2025, at the age of 41.
Her posthumous memoir, “Nobody’s Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice,” was published on Oct. 21. The book detailed her experiences with Epstein and Maxwell, as well as her allegations against Andrew.
That same month, King Charles stripped Andrew of his royal titles and honors after it was revealed that he maintained his relationship with Epstein for longer than he previously claimed.
Charles also announced that Andrew would be evicted from his Royal Lodge home in Windsor and move into the king’s private estate in Norfolk.
2026
Documents released by the US Department of Justice from the Epstein files allegedly showed that Andrew forwarded sensitive government documents, including confidential trade information, to Epstein.
Andrew was then arrested on Feb. 19, 2026 — his 66th birthday — on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He was taken into custody, and officers searched his addresses in both Berkshire and Norfolk.
Buckingham Palace quickly released a statement confirming that King Charles — who was not informed in advance that his brother would be arrested — would support the police’s investigation into Andrew’s connections to Epstein.
“I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office,” Charles wrote in a statement issued by Buckingham Palace.
“What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities,” he continued. “In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation.”
What Happens Now?
The longest the former prince can be held is 96 hours, although this would require extensions from senior police officers and a magistrates’ court, according to the BBC. Suspects are usually held for 12 or 24 hours before being either charged or released pending further investigation.
If Andrew was taken to a police station, he was likely placed in a cell until his police interview.
Police, meanwhile, are allowed to access Andrew’s computer equipment, files and photos, as well as conduct searches of any residences the disgraced prince owns, occupies or controls.
If charged and convicted, Andrew could face a maximum sentence of life in prison.
What We Don’t Know
There is still a lot of info that is unknown regarding Andrew’s arrest, both regarding the details of the allegations and the procedure of the case.
It is unclear what specific info led the Thames Valley Police to make the arrest, as well as where the former prince is being held and how long he might remain in custody.
It also remains unclear whether anybody close to Andrew – such as his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson – will be questioned by police in the case against the disgraced royal.
Page Six has reached out to all necessary parties for comment.
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