Former Prince Andrew arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, King Charles reacts

Prince Harry reportedly expressed defeat over comparisons to his uncle, former Prince Andrew.

“He was frustrated by the comparisons. It was never fair to lump them together,” an insider told People magazine about Harry’s feelings prior to Andrew’s arrest.

“Harry served his country, did the job well and never engaged in misconduct — yet lost security and housing, while Andrew was protected for years.”

A source added, referring to Andrew's arrest, “In this moment, it’s sad and embarrassing for the entire family. It leaves a stain on everybody.”

The Duke of Sussex and his wife, Meghan Markle, stepped down from senior royal responsibilities in 2020 due to what they claimed was intense media scrutiny.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was released from police custody on Feb. 19, hours after his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

The former prince faced public scrutiny due to his ties to the late Jeffrey Epstein, who died by apparent suicide while in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019.

Emails released by the Department of Justice (DOJ) as part of the Epstein files appeared to show the former prince sharing reports of official trade visits with the disgraced financier. One email showed Andrew sent Epstein the information five minutes after he received it.

King Charles III expressed his "deepest concern" about the news of his brother, former Prince Andrew, being arrested on suspicion of misconduct while in public office.

"What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities. In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation," the king said in a statement.

"Let me state clearly: the law must take its course," he added. "As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all."

The king tended to royal responsibilities Thursday and opened London Fashion Week.

"During the visit, His Majesty toured exhibitions, including Brand63Africa and Stella McCartney, curated to highlight craftsmanship, innovation and sustainability within British fashion," the palace shared on X.

"We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time," Wright added.

Thames Valley Police said the man would not be named, citing "national guidance."

This is an excerpt from an article written by Fox News Digital's Rachel Wolf and Mary Schlageter.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested around 8 a.m. local time. Police were seen searching the Royal Lodge.

"As part of the investigation, we have today (2/19), at approximately 8 a.m., 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," a statement provided by the Thames Valley Police said.

Authorities were also spotted at Wood Farm, Andrew's current temporary residence on Sandringham Estate. The ex-senior royal was arrested on his 66th birthday.

Later in the evening, Andrew was photographed arriving home to Sandringham Estate after spending Thursday in police custody.

The former prince faced public scrutiny due to his ties to the late Jeffrey Epstein, who died by apparent suicide while in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019.

Emails released by the Department of Justice (DOJ) as part of the Epstein files appeared to show former Prince Andrew sharing reports of official trade visits with the disgraced financier. One email showed Andrew sent Epstein the information five minutes after he received it.

Former Prince Andrew's arrest Thursday marks the first time in more than 300 years that a royal was arrested.

"A British royal has not been hauled off in cuffs since 1647," Will Cain said on his self-titled show before reviewing Andrew's history with Jeffrey Epstein.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was released from police custody on Feb. 19, hours after his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

He returned to Sandringham Estate, where he has been temporarily living at Wood Farm.

The former prince faced public scrutiny due to his ties to the late Jeffrey Epstein, who died by apparent suicide while in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019.

Misconduct in office faces a potential sentence of life in prison.

Rick Scott, a top Senate Republican, insisted that former Prince Andrew be held accountable if its determined he broke laws in the United States due to his Epstein ties.

"If he’s violated American law, absolutely," Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., told Fox News Digital.

Police arrested the former prince Thursday -- his 66th birthday -- on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

He has been accused of sharing confidential trade info with Jeffrey Epstein. Emails released by the Department of Justice (DOJ) as part of the Epstein files appeared to show former Prince Andrew sharing reports of official trade visits with the disgraced financier.

One email showed Andrew sent Epstein the information five minutes after he received it.

Fox News Digital's Alex Miller contributed to this report.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the second son of late Queen Elizabeth II, married Sarah (Fergie) Ferguson in 1986.

The former couple divorced in 1996, months before King Charles III would divorce the late Princess Diana.

Andrew and Ferguson share two children, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

Earlier this week, six of Ferguson's companies were reported to be shutting down following the release of Jeffrey Epstein records.

S Phoenix Events, Fergie's Farm, La Luna Investments, Solamoon Ltd, Philanthrepreneur Ltd and Planet Partners Productions Ltd are all set to shutter, according to the BBC. Ferguson is listed as a director of each company.

Police arrested the former prince on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The former prince has faced scrutiny due to his Epstein ties.

On Oct. 30, King Charles III stripped his disgraced brother, Prince Andrew, of his royal titles. He also evicted him from Royal Lodge after weeks of pressure to act over the former Duke of York’s friendship with the late sex offender.

Prince William refuses to protect his "despicable" uncle Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, choosing instead to support the victims of Jeffrey Epstein with his wife by his side.

British royals expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital the future king of England sees silence as a serious threat to the monarchy and is ready to shatter the "never complain, never explain" tradition.

"Prince William, with the major influence of Princess Catherine, is modernizing the monarchy by clarifying their position — which is with the victims," said Fordwich. "This demonstrates William’s moral authority. We can expect that he will not do anything to defend his despicable uncle."

"Despite issuing a statement supporting victims before departing for Saudi Arabia, Prince William was still heckled," Fordwich said. 

"He is clearly the hardliner on reputational risk, viewing silence as both damning and dangerous for the monarchy. Notably, the statement he and Princess Catherine released was brief, direct, and avoided any mention of his despicable uncle’s name."

On Feb. 9, a spokesperson for the Prince and Princess of Wales said the couple were "deeply concerned" by recent revelations in the newly released Epstein files.

This is an excerpt of an article written by Fox News Digital's Stephanie Nolasco.

King Charles III opened London Fashion Week just hours after his brother, former Prince Andrew, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

"During the visit, His Majesty toured exhibitions, including Brand63Africa and Stella McCartney, curated to highlight craftsmanship, innovation and sustainability within British fashion," the palace shared on X.

"The King also joined the front row for the opening show from British-Nigerian designer, Tolu Coker."

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was released from police custody on Feb. 19 and returned to Sandringham Estate, where he has been temporarily living at Wood Farm.

Shortly after Andrew's arrest, Buckingham Palace released a statement on behalf of the king.

"I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office," the king said.

"What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities. In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation. Let me state clearly: the law must take its course."

Officials were notified of the former Prince Andrew's impending arrest 30 minutes before he was detained.

"In line with routine practice, the National Police Chiefs’ Council alerted operational colleagues within the Home Office of the arrest," the NPCC confirmed to Fox News Digital.

"This gave 30 minutes' notice before Thames Valley Police made the arrest."

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was released from police custody on Feb. 19, hours after his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He returned to Sandringham Estate, where he has been temporarily living at Wood Farm.

The former prince faced public scrutiny due to his ties to the late Jeffrey Epstein, who died by apparent suicide while in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was photographed arriving home to Sandringham Estate after spending Thursday in police custody.

The former prince could be seen in the backseat of a car as he arrived to Wood Farm, where he has been temporarily staying after being kicked out of the Royal Lodge.

Authorities arrested Andrew on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He has been accused of sharing confidential trade info with Jeffrey Epstein. Emails released by the Department of Justice (DOJ) as part of the Epstein files appeared to show former Prince Andrew sharing reports of official trade visits with the disgraced financier. One email showed Andrew sent Epstein the information five minutes after he received it.

Other police forces in the U.K. are also conducting their own investigations into Andrew's ties to Epstein.

President Donald Trump weighed in on Thursday's arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor while speaking with reporters on Air Force One.

The president called the arrest "a shame" before adding, “I think it’s very sad. I think it’s so bad for the royal family. It’s very, very sad. To me, it’s a very sad thing.”

Thames Valley Police arrested the former prince on Feb. 19 -- his 66th birthday -- on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

Andrew is being investigated on the suspicion that he shared confidential trade information with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein back in 2010.

The first known survivor to report abuse at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein reacted to the news of former Prince Andrew's arrest Thursday.

“Today is just the beginning of accountability and justice brought forth by Virginia Roberts Giuffre -- a young mother who adored her daughter so deeply, she fought the most powerful on earth to protect her," Maria Farmer said, according to the BBC.

"She did this for everyone’s daughters. Let’s now demand all the dominos of power and corruption begin to fall.”

Various politicians have weighed in on Andrew's arrest.

In a statement to The New York Times, Rep. Robert Garcia of California, said, “Oversight Democrats called for Mountbatten-Windsor to come clean about his ties to Epstein months ago, and Britain is now holding him accountable with this arrest. Now it’s time for the United States to end this White House cover-up.”

New Mexico Rep. Melanie Stansbury wrote on X, "If a Prince can be held accountable, so can a President."

Some Republicans, however, praised the Justice Department's transparency.

Rep. James E. Comer of Kentucky told the NYT, “There must be accountability for anyone who was involved in Jeffrey Epstein’s horrific crimes. The Justice Department’s transparency is ensuring that no one is above the law — even British royalty.”

The past and present homes of former Prince Andrew are being searched in connection his arrest Thursday.

"As part of the investigation, we have today (2/19), at approximately 8 a.m., 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," a statement provided by the Thames Valley Police said.

Police officers were seen Thursday at the exiled royal's former Berkshire home, the Royal Lodge.

Authorities were also spotted at Wood Farm, Andrew's current temporary residence on Sandringham Estate.

Andrew is being investigated on the suspicion that he shared confidential trade information with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein back in 2010.

In the wake of Andrew's arrest, the family of Virginia Giuffre — who claimed that she was forced to have multiple sexual encounters with the ex prince after being sex-trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell as a teenager — could not be more ecstatic.

In an interview with Reuters, Sky Roberts and his wife, Amanda, said that while the news was a "win," they're left with a "mixed bag of emotions," as Giuffre — who died by suicide in 2025 — isn't here to celebrate.

"It was such a mixed bag of emotions," Amanda said. "I think initially we were like vindicated and screaming at one point at 3 a.m. And then, you know, it just hits you, that gut punch of the fact that she's not here to see this, that we're not able to call her and tell her how like astronomically proud we are of her."

"And so days like this are always such a big mix of emotions, but the thing that we say every day is like, it's so hard to get wins during this fight. And so when they come, live in them and really enjoy them and celebrate them, and this is a victory for Virginia."

Last year, her family called on King Charles III to strip the disgraced royal of his last remaining title.

Ahead of the release of Giuffre's posthumous memoir, "Nobody’s Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice," Sky and Amanda expressed their wishes during an appearance on ITV's "This Morning."

"To me, again, we're proud of her, but I think that the work is not yet done. I think this is just the beginning," Sky said of the courage his sister had in writing the book. "It was kind of written that way where it was meant for some sort of action to take place, following the book release."

Former Prince Andrew was arrested Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in office after being accused of sharing confidential trade information with the now-deceased Jeffrey Epstein.

Here are key moments that led up to the former prince's arrest:

2011

Former Prince Andrew resigned from his role as Britain’s special trade envoy after the first reports of his alleged ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein surfaced. Epstein had been convicted and jailed three years earlier for sex offenses involving a minor.

2019

Jeffrey Epstein was arrested again on charges of sex trafficking and later died by apparent suicide. Prince Andrew's ties to the disgraced financier again came under scrutiny as allegations that the then-prince had sex with at least one underage teenager trafficked by Epstein came to light. Andrew denied all allegations.

2020

Buckingham Palace announced then-Prince Andrew had stepped back from his royal duties. Days later, Queen Elizabeth II stripped Andrew of his military title and patronages.

2022

Andrew agreed to settle a New York civil lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre, who alleged that she was forced to have sex with the prince when she was 17. While Andrew didn’t admit to any of Giuffre’s allegations, he acknowledged that she had suffered as a victim of sexual abuse.

2025

It came to light that former Prince Andrew sent an email to Jeffrey Epstein on Feb. 28, 2011, more than two months after he had told BBC he had cut off all contact with the disgraced financier. Months later, Andrew revealed he was giving up his royal titles -- including Duke of York. King Charles III quickly stripped Andrew of all remaining titles, including prince. He became Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. King Charles also kicked his brother out of the Royal Lodge.

2026

The Department of Justice (DOJ) released the remaining files related to investigations into Jeffrey Epstein, further implicating former Prince Andrew. One picture of Mountbatten-Windsor crouching over a motionless and unnamed woman in what appeared to be Epstein's apartment in New York caused widespread consternation and disgust. Other allegations include the sharing of confidential trade information with Epstein in 2010. On Feb. 19, Andrew was arrested on suspicion of public misconduct while in office.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Andrew's arrest triggers standard police booking procedures, including a custody photo, fingerprints and a DNA sample, according to the BBC.

If held longer than six hours, the ex prince must be transferred to a designated custody suite — secure facilities designed to centralize suspects for questioning while ensuring proper care, BBC stated.

The outlet also reported that while cells are basic, they meet welfare standards, with bedding, meals and, if needed, a change of clothing.

Additionally, interviews may take place over multiple sessions, depending on the evidence gathered. Under the U.K.’s duty solicitor system, suspects are entitled to free legal advice, with independent defense attorneys available to lay out their rights.

Royal commentator Meredith Constant told Fox News Digital she believes Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor allegedly sending disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein confidential documents “only scratches the surface.”

Constant said the former prince’s conduct as U.K. trade envoy has been “a topic of concern for years now.”

“I have a feeling sending confidential documents to Jeffrey Epstein only scratches the surface,” Constant said. “It is past time for the U.K. Government to release files they've kept hidden from the public about Andrew's time in public office.”