Argus News - UK Police Arrest Prince Andrew On Suspicion Of Misconduct In Public Office

London, Feb 19: Prince Andrew, the younger brother of King Charles III, was arrested in the United Kingdom on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office, according to a report by BBC.

The arrest, which reportedly came on his 66th birthday, marks a significant development for the former senior royal, who has faced sustained scrutiny over his association with late American financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Police Confirm Arrest, Do Not Name Suspect
Thames Valley Police confirmed that an investigation into alleged misconduct in public office had been opened. However, the force did not officially name the individual arrested.

“As part of the investigation, we have today (19/2) 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,” the police said in a statement.

The man remains in custody, the force added, urging caution in reporting as the case is now active.

Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said the investigation followed a “thorough assessment” of the allegations and stressed the need to protect the integrity and objectivity of the probe.

Police Activity at Sandringham Estate
According to reports, several unmarked police vehicles and plain-clothed officers were seen at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate in eastern England, where Andrew currently resides.

Earlier this month, Thames Valley Police had said they were examining allegations that the former prince passed confidential government documents to Epstein. The claims reportedly emerged from documents recently released by US authorities as part of a trafficking investigation linked to Epstein.

Authorities are also reviewing allegations that a woman was trafficked to the UK by Epstein for Andrew. The Duke of York has consistently denied any wrongdoing and previously expressed regret over his association with Epstein.

UK PM Stresses ‘Nobody Is Above the Law’
Reacting to the developments, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the principle that “nobody is above the law” must apply. Speaking to the BBC, he declined to comment on specifics but described the principle as “very important” and said it must apply in the same way as in any other case.

Titles Revoked Amid Mounting Pressure
On November 3, 2025, King Charles III formally stripped his brother of the “Prince” title, the “His Royal Highness” designation and the Duke of York title through Letters Patent, following mounting public and political pressure over his links to Epstein.

Andrew, the second son of the late Queen Elizabeth II, had earlier been reported to police by anti-monarchy campaign group Republic after the release of millions of pages of documents related to Epstein, who was convicted in 2008 of soliciting prostitution from a minor.

Also Read: 'She Touched My Chest', 'Told Me I Have Great Body for Epstein': Inside Ghislaine Maxwell’s Trial Testimonies

Thames Valley Police and the Crown Prosecution Service have previously acknowledged discussions regarding the case, noting the complexities involved in allegations of misconduct in public office, a common law offence.

Buckingham Palace has not yet issued an official statement on the reported arrest.

The development represents one of the most serious legal challenges faced by a member of the British royal family in recent years and is likely to intensify debate over accountability in public life.