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🔥 On His 66th Birthday: Andrew! The First Photos of His Arrest 🔥

Norfolk County (Great Britain) – In a dramatic and unprecedented development that has sent shockwaves through the UK and beyond, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor — formerly known to the public as Prince Andrew — was arrested on his 66th birthday, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. Officers from Thames Valley Police took him into custody at his residence on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office, a serious criminal offence under British common law.

Police were photographed arriving in multiple unmarked vehicles shortly after 8 a.m., detaining the former royal at Wood Farm, the country home on the Sandringham Estate where he has been living in recent weeks. Searches are also underway at properties in Berkshire and Norfolk connected to him.

What the Police Are Saying

Thames Valley Police confirmed: “As part of the investigation, we today arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office and are conducting searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk. The man is currently in police custody. In accordance with national policy, we will not be releasing the name of the arrested man.”

Under UK law, suspects can be held in custody without charge for up to 96 hours before being charged, bailed, or released. Reports indicate Andrew could remain detained for the full period while officers continue questioning and evidence review.

The Charge Explained: “Misconduct in Public Office”

The allegation centers on Andrew’s conduct during his tenure as the UK’s special trade envoy from 2001 to 2011. British authorities are investigating whether he abused his position by sharing sensitive or confidential government information — including trade and financial details — with the late U.S. financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

In UK law, misconduct in public office refers to the wilful abuse or neglect of official powers and responsibilities, amounting to a serious breach of public trust. Prosecutors must demonstrate that the accused was acting in an official capacity and deliberately misused that role without lawful justification. In extreme cases, the offence can carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, though sentencing depends on the severity and proven harm.

Why Such an Arrest Is Possible in the United Kingdom

One of the most striking aspects of this case is that it underscores a core principle of the British legal system: no one is above the law. Unlike some jurisdictions where high officials enjoy sweeping immunity, the UK does not provide blanket legal protection to former officeholders — or to members of the royal family.

While the monarch enjoys sovereign immunity, other royals do not possess automatic immunity from criminal investigation. If credible evidence suggests wrongdoing, police have both the authority and the obligation to act. Misconduct in public office is a common-law offence that has been used against senior officials, police officers, and public servants where serious breaches of trust are alleged.

The arrest follows renewed scrutiny connected to material emerging from the so-called Epstein files. Investigators are examining whether Andrew’s official meetings and overseas engagements were improperly influenced, and whether confidential economic or banking information may have been disclosed during that period.

Royal Reaction and Broader Impact

King Charles III has publicly stated that the matter is one for law enforcement and that the legal process must take its course. The development places renewed pressure on the monarchy at a sensitive time, raising questions not only about individual accountability but about institutional oversight.

Legal experts caution that an arrest is not a conviction. The investigation is ongoing, and formal charges have not yet been announced. However, the very fact of detention — particularly on a birthday marked by police vehicles at the gates of a royal estate — marks a rare and historic moment.

In a country steeped in tradition, Thursday’s images sent a modern message: in Britain, even those born into privilege can find themselves answering to the law.