Prince Andrew pictured leaving police station following arrest on suspicion of misconduct.
Senior British royal Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was photographed leaving a police station in Aylsham, Norfolk, England after being arrested and held for questioning on suspicion of misconduct in public office, marking a rare and momentous legal development involving a member of the British royal family. The arrest took place on Thursday, February 19, 2026, which was also his 66th birthday, when officers from Thames Valley Police detained him at his residence on the Sandringham Estate as part of an investigation into allegations that he shared confidential government information with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during his earlier role as the United Kingdom’s special trade envoy.
After spending about eleven hours in custody, Mountbatten-Windsor was released later that evening under investigation, meaning he is not currently facing formal charges but remains subject to an ongoing police inquiry. Officers conducted extensive searches of properties linked to him, including his Norfolk residence and his former home in Windsor Great Park, as part of the broader probe.
A photograph that quickly circulated worldwide shows the former royal in the back seat of a vehicle, appearing subdued as he left the police station after his release. The image, taken by a Reuters photographer, highlights the historical significance of the moment because it represents possibly the first time in modern British history that a senior member of the royal family has been detained and processed visibly by law enforcement.
King Charles III issued a public statement on the development expressing that “the law must take its course” and confirming that the royal family would fully cooperate with the investigation, underscoring the seriousness with which the situation is being treated at the highest level.
The misconduct in public office investigation stems from newly disclosed information in the United States that included correspondence suggesting Mountbatten-Windsor may have shared sensitive material with Epstein while serving in an official capacity. He has long faced scrutiny and reputational damage due to his association with Epstein, having previously stepped back from official duties and had his royal titles removed. Despite glaring public and legal attention, Mountbatten-Windsor has continued to deny any wrongdoing.
The arrest and the images of him leaving police custody have reignited discussion about accountability and transparency within once-sacrosanct institutions, prompting commentary from legal analysts and public figures alike about the broader implications for both the justice system and the British monarchy’s modern role.
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