Former Prince Andrew arrested and held for hours on suspicion of misconduct over ties to Epstein | 19 Feb 2026 | The former Prince Andrew was arrested and held for hours by British police Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office related to his links to Jeffrey Epstein, an extraordinary move in a country where authorities once sought to shield the royal family from embarrassment. It was the first time in nearly four centuries that a senior British royal was placed under arrest, and it underscored how deference to the monarchy has eroded in recent years. King Charles III took the unusual step of issuing a statement on the arrest of his brother, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. “Let me state clearly: the law must take its course,” the king said. “As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter.”