Epstein files

United Kingdom

Epstein case, former Prince Andrew released after arrest. King Charles: maximum support for the authorities

The allegation is that the American paedophile financier shared confidential British government information when he was London's trade envoy

by Nicol Degli Innocenti

19 February 2026

Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, fratello minore del re Carlo d'Inghilterra, precedentemente noto come principe Andrea, lascia la stazione di polizia di Aylsham a bordo di un veicolo, il giorno in cui è stato arrestato con l'accusa di abuso d'ufficio, dopo che il Dipartimento di Giustizia degli Stati Uniti ha reso pubblici ulteriori documenti relativi al defunto finanziere e condannato per reati sessuali Jeffrey Epstein, ad Aylsham, in Gran Bretagna, il 19 febbraio 2026. REUTERS/Phil Noble

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Key points

Police in the royal estate
King Charles: maximum support for the authorities

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

LONDON- The unthinkable has happened: today the police arrested Andrea Mountbatten-Windsor, former prince, brother of King Charles III and one-time favourite son of Queen Elizabeth II, on his 66th birthday.

The accusation is abuse of office or 'misconduct in the exercise of public functions': Andrea had passed confidential information to the American financier Jeffrey Epstein, as shown by the revelations that emerged from the publication of the 'Epstein files' by the US Department of Justice. Andrea had been a trade envoy for many years, charged by the government with promoting Britain's investments and interests around the world.

The former Prince Andrew was then released by the British police after 12 hours in custody following his arrest in Sandringham this morning. This was reported by the British media. The brother of King Charles III reportedly remains under investigation on charges of sharing confidential information with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein in his former capacity as a trade emissary for the London government.

Epstein, abusi di potere - Dietro l’arresto dell’ex principe Andrew

The revelations show that during these business trips, the former prince regularly kept Epstein informed about his activities, the confidential talks he had with foreign governments and investment opportunities, which the American financier could have exploited. The suspicion is that Andrea broke the rules and in fact betrayed the country not only out of friendship towards Epstein but for profit, gaining financially from the investments made by the financier thanks to the confidential information obtained.

Epstein, abusi di potere - L’ombra del Mossad e del Kgb

Police in the Royal Estate

A police team arrived at the royal estate in Sandrigham, Norfolk, where Andrea had moved a few days ago after being 'evicted' by King Charles from the mansion in the grounds of the Royal Windsor Castle where he had lived for decades, and announced that the former prince had been arrested and detained. Police are also carrying out searches at both of Andrew's homes, at Wood Farm in Norfolk and Royal Lodge in Windsor.

There is no historical precedent for the sensational arrest of a member of the royal family, however disgraced. His friendship with Epstein, a paedophile financier who died in prison in 2019, cost Andrea dearly. For years the former prince dismissed allegations that he had sexually molested underage girls that Epstein procured for him, but photos, videos and emails kept by the financier proved that Andrea was not telling the truth.

King Charles: utmost support for the authorities

Today King Charles III let it be known that he is 'deeply concerned about the news about Andrea Mountbatten-Windsor and the suspicion of abuse of office, a matter that must be investigated by the authorities, who have our full support and utmost cooperation. The law must take its course'. In the meantime, King added, 'it would not be fair to comment further. My family and I will continue to do our duty'.

After having long protected Andrea, the royal family has now distanced itself. Queen Elizabeth II had stripped him of his royal positions and military titles, partly to protect him from the media spotlight. His brother, King Charles, went even further and stripped him of the title of prince, making him simply Mr Mountbatten-Windsor, and removed him from the Windsor estate by relegating him to the English countryside, where he was arrested this morning.

Even Keir Starmer, a few hours after Andrea's arrest, declared that no one is above the law: 'Anyone with information, whether Andrea or anyone else, has a duty to testify,' said the British premier.

Caso Epstein: arrestato il principe Andrea, fratello di Carlo III d’Inghilterra
Photogallery14 foto

The police also acted out of fear that Andrea would flee abroad to a country that has no extradition agreement with the UK.

Several British police forces are also investigating the possibility that Andrea committed sex crimes in the UK, as the released documents show that Epstein allegedly 'shipped' several girls to England on his private plane, which Andrea allegedly hosted at Windsor and possibly also at Buckingham Palace.

The police emphasised, however, that today's arrest relates only to Andrea's conduct in her role as a trade envoy and charges of misconduct in the exercise of public functions. People arrested in England are usually detained and interrogated for 24 hours before being released or formally charged. The expectation is that the former prince will refuse to answer questions during police questioning.

Andrea has always insisted that he is innocent and continues to maintain that he has never acted improperly or unlawfully