His Majesty King Charles III has expressed deep concern after police in England arrested his younger brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, on suspicion of misconduct in public office — in what has become one of the most unprecedented legal events involving a senior member of the British royal family in decades.
The arrest took place on Thursday, 19 February 2026, when officers from Thames Valley Police detained a man in his 60s from Norfolk on suspicion of the offence. While authorities did not name the individual at the time, multiple news outlets and official sources confirm that the person in custody is Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Duke of York.
In a statement released later the same day, King Charles said he had “learned with the deepest concern” about the news and affirmed that the matter would now be handled by the appropriate legal authorities.
“Let me state clearly: the law must take its course,” the monarch said, adding that he and his family would continue in their duties while offering support and cooperation with the investigation.
The arrest stems from an ongoing police investigation into alleged misconduct during Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s time serving as a UK trade envoy, a role he held in the early 2000s. Police sources said searches were being carried out at properties in Berkshire and Norfolk, where police are gathering evidence related to the allegations.
The suspected misconduct is linked to documents released in the so-called Epstein files, which include emails suggesting that Andrew may have shared sensitive government information with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein — a long-time associate whose activities have dogged the former prince for years.
“Misconduct in public office” is a serious criminal offence in the UK, involving the wilful abuse of powers or responsibilities attached to a public role. It can carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, though its application depends on the specifics of how a public office was allegedly abused.
Earlier this month, the UK’s Director of Public Prosecutions emphasised that “nobody is above the law” amid intensifying scrutiny of Andrew’s potential role in the case, underscoring the gravity of the situation for the British establishment.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was stripped of his royal titles in October 2025 amid fallout from his ties to Jeffrey Epstein and controversial public appearances over the past decade. He stepped back from royal duties in 2019 and has consistently denied any wrongdoing, including allegations of sexual misconduct and impropriety.
King Charles’s statement marks a rare moment in which a reigning monarch publicly addresses an active criminal investigation involving a member of the royal family. Observers say the response — emphasising legal due process — reflects the sensitive nature of the matter.
Thames Valley Police have not yet charged Mountbatten-Windsor, and the investigation is ongoing, leaving many questions about the full extent of the alleged misconduct and the potential implications for the royal institution and public trust in UK governance.
