King Charles's Brother Arrested in Epstein Case, Faces Life Imprisonment
On Thursday 19 February 2026 local time, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested at his residence on the Sandringham Estate in eastern England. The arrest of King Charles's brother marks a dark chapter in the history of the British Royal Family, making him the second member of the royal household to face legal trouble since Lady Jane Grey in the sixteenth century.
How did the former Duke of York come to be arrested by British police? According to The Guardian, Andrew was detained on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
The arrest appears to be connected to his role as Britain's trade envoy and follows the publication of Epstein-related emails.
Among the documents released by the US Department of Justice are files indicating that the former prince allegedly forwarded sensitive government documents and commercial information to Epstein, a convicted sex offender.
What do the documents in question contain?
Andrew served as Britain's trade envoy from 2001 to 2011. In that capacity, he travelled to numerous countries and was granted special access to senior government officials and business figures worldwide.
In 2010, according to documents published in late January, he allegedly forwarded government reports from visits to Vietnam, Singapore, and China including Hong Kong to Epstein. In an email dated 7 October 2010, prior to that trip, Andrew was said to have been accompanied by a business associate of Epstein.
Following the trip, on 30 November, Andrew allegedly forwarded an official visit report sent by his then-special assistant Amit Patel to Epstein just five minutes after receiving it.
The documents also indicate that Andrew allegedly sent Epstein information regarding gold and uranium investment opportunities in Afghanistan.
A briefing document prepared by British officials for Andrew during his tenure as trade envoy, reported by the BBC, was allegedly forwarded to Epstein in December 2010. The document contained a list of high-value commercial opportunities in Helmand Province.
Under official guidelines, a trade envoy is required to maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information — whether commercial or political — obtained during official visits.
How did the former Duke of York come to be arrested by British police? According to The Guardian, Andrew was detained on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
The arrest appears to be connected to his role as Britain's trade envoy and follows the publication of Epstein-related emails.
Among the documents released by the US Department of Justice are files indicating that the former prince allegedly forwarded sensitive government documents and commercial information to Epstein, a convicted sex offender.
What do the documents in question contain?
Andrew served as Britain's trade envoy from 2001 to 2011. In that capacity, he travelled to numerous countries and was granted special access to senior government officials and business figures worldwide.
In 2010, according to documents published in late January, he allegedly forwarded government reports from visits to Vietnam, Singapore, and China including Hong Kong to Epstein. In an email dated 7 October 2010, prior to that trip, Andrew was said to have been accompanied by a business associate of Epstein.
Following the trip, on 30 November, Andrew allegedly forwarded an official visit report sent by his then-special assistant Amit Patel to Epstein just five minutes after receiving it.
The documents also indicate that Andrew allegedly sent Epstein information regarding gold and uranium investment opportunities in Afghanistan.
A briefing document prepared by British officials for Andrew during his tenure as trade envoy, reported by the BBC, was allegedly forwarded to Epstein in December 2010. The document contained a list of high-value commercial opportunities in Helmand Province.
Under official guidelines, a trade envoy is required to maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information — whether commercial or political — obtained during official visits.