Thames Valley Police detained Prince Andrew Edward Mountbatten-Windsor on his 66th birthday on suspicion of public office misconduct.
WITHIN NIGERIA learned that the arrest stems from charges that he communicated classified information to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, while serving as a UK trade ambassador from 2001 to 2011.
Recall that Prince Andrew was accused of passing sensitive official material to Epstein.
Police said they are searching addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk and have not named him publicly, in line with national guidance
King Charles III responded with a written statement:
“I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office. 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”.
“In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co‑operation. Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.”
However, Prince Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing but he was stripped of his royal titles and honors in November 2025.
12 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About King Charles’ Brother, Prince Andrew Edward Mountbatten-Windsor
He was born on February 19, 1960
He is the third child and second son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip
He grew up in Buckingham Palace
He attended Heatherdown Preparatory School and Gordonstoun before enrolling at Britannia Royal Naval College in 1979
After qualifying as a helicopter pilot, he performed Sea-King flights during the 1982 Falklands War, eventually commanding HMS Cottesmore and served at the Ministry of Defence before retiring as a Commander in 2001
In 1986, he married Sarah Ferguson. They have two children, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. They divorced in 1996
He was given the “Duke of York” title on his wedding day, which he kept until he consented to quit using it in 2025, after years of dispute
From 2001 until 2011, he served as the UK’s Special Representative for International Trade and Investment
However, his role was later questioned due to allegations of sharing confidential information with Jeffrey Epstein.
A 2019 BBC Newsnight interview, allegations of sexual assault by Virginia Giuffre, and a 2022 civil settlement (without admitting liability) resulted in his removal from royal duties and loss of military titles
In 2025, King Charles formally removed his “Duke of York” title.
On February 19, 2026, he was arrested by UK police on suspicion of misconduct in public service, making him the first senior royal to be incarcerated in modern history
