King Charles's Firm Response After Brother's Arrest in Jeffrey Epstein Case: 'The Law Must Take Its Course'

King Charles’s younger brother and former Duke of York, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested on Thursday, 19 February 2026 local time. Andrew was detained by Thames Valley Police on suspicion of misconduct in public office, following allegations that he had sent classified government documents to Jeffrey Epstein.

In the wake of his brother’s arrest, King Charles broke his silence. On Thursday afternoon local time, the father of Prince William expressed his regret over the alleged offences committed by his brother during his tenure as a senior member of the British Royal Family.

“I received news concerning Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor with the deepest concern, regarding alleged misconduct in public office,” he said, as quoted by The Guardian on Friday, 20 February 2026.

Charles stated that the law must take its course. He entrusted all matters to the relevant authorities and assured that the Royal Household would be fully cooperative.

“A thorough, fair and proper process will now be undertaken to investigate this matter appropriately by the competent authorities. In this regard, as I have previously stated, they have our full support and cooperation. I wish to make clear that the law must take its course,” he said.

Charles also indicated he would not be making further comment on the case involving his brother. He said that he and senior members of the Royal Family would continue to focus on carrying out their duties of state.

“Whilst this process is ongoing, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on this matter. In the meantime, my family and I will continue to carry out our duties and service to you all,” he said.

As previously reported, several British media outlets reported that six unmarked police vehicles and approximately eight plain-clothes officers arrived at Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate in eastern England, where Mountbatten-Windsor currently resides, on the morning of the arrest.

Prior to being taken into custody, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor had been reported to the police by the anti-monarchy campaign group Republic after more than three million pages of Epstein-related documents were made public. Epstein himself was convicted in 2008 of soliciting a minor for prostitution.