Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested latest: King Charles says ‘law must take its course’ after brother taken into custody

Royal Lodge reportedly searched by officers
According to the BBC, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s former home, Royal Lodge, is currently being searched by police officers.
Thames Valley Police previously said searches were carried out at addresses in Norfolk and Berkshire.
The former prince resided at the Windsor estate for more than two decades before he was forced to move to a smaller property on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk last month.
The BBC says the only address currently sought in Berkshire is World War II. He knows it’s a grade-listed 30-bedroom mansion.
Uniformed officers were seen outside the property while Mr Mountbatten-Windsor remained in police custody.
Holly Evans19 February 2026 12:46
Andrew’s arrest is unprecedented in recent royal history
Our crime reporter Amy-Clare Martin writes:
The arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is unprecedented in recent royal history.
Police have the power to detain the former prince for a maximum of 96 hours for questioning, but this would require multiple extensions by the police and the magistrates’ court.
His sister, Princess Anne, is not thought to have been arrested, although she became the first member of the royal family to be convicted of the crime in 2002 after her English bull terrier Dotty bit two children in Windsor Great Park.
Instead he was issued a summons to appear in court, where he pleaded guilty to the charge under the Dangerous Dogs Act. He was fined £500 for the attack and ordered to pay £250 compensation and £148 costs at a magistrates’ court in Slough.
District judge Penelope Hewitt spared Dotty’s life.
A year ago he was convicted of speeding in his Bentley after admitting driving at 93mph in a 70mph zone in Gloucestershire. He was fined £400, ordered to pay £30 costs and given five penalty points on his licence.
In 2019, prosecutors decided that the traffic accident that occurred near the Sandringham estate was not in the public interest of Prince Philip.
The driver, then 97, had voluntarily given up his license after his Land Rover Freelander collided with another vehicle, leaving a woman with a broken wrist.
The last time a royal was arrested is thought to have been several hundred years ago, in 1647, when King Charles I was imprisoned by Oliver Cromwell following the civil war. He was tried and later executed for treason.
Holly EvansFebruary 19, 2026 12:39
Timeline of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor scandals arrested on royal family’s birthday amid Epstein allegations
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, widely claimed to be the late Queen’s “favourite” child, has fallen sharply over the last decade.
Thames Valley Police confirmed the arrest on Thursday, following allegations against the former prince following the release of millions of pages of files on Epstein, which included messages sent between two months after Mountbatten-Windsor claimed he had ended his friendship with the convicted sex offender.
Here The Independent takes a look at the timeline of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s fall from grace and retreat from the public eye.
Holly Evans19 February 2026 12:33
Royal expert Jennie Bond says Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest is a ‘nightmare’ for King Charles
“The pressure has been so high over the last few weeks that you feel like something has to happen,” he said, but said he believed it would be in the form of police cars searching Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s properties, not an arrest.
Dan Haygarth19 February 2026 12:30
Virginia Giuffre’s family spoke as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested
Virginia Giuffre’s family welcomed news of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest, saying: “He was never a prince.”
Although the arrest was not linked to the sexual abuse allegations against Andrew, Giuffre’s family, who was among those who accused him, made a statement.
“Today, our broken hearts are finally relieved by the news that no one, not even the royal family, is above the law,” Giuffre’s siblings said in a statement. he said. Shared with CBS News.
“On behalf of our sister, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, we express our gratitude to England’s Thames Valley Police for their investigation and arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. He was never a prince. For survivors around the world, Virginia did this for you.”
Dan Haygarth19 February 2026 12:22
The King and Buckingham Palace were not informed in advance of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest

It is understood neither the King nor Buckingham Palace was informed before Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest.
He added: “There will now be a full, fair and appropriate process to ensure that this matter is investigated appropriately and by the appropriate authorities.”
Dan Haygarth19 February 2026 12:18
King Charles’ full statement as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is arrested
The King said in a written statement: “I have learned with deep concern the news regarding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and the suspicion of misconduct in public office.
“What will now come is a full, fair and appropriate process to ensure that this matter is investigated appropriately and by the relevant authorities.
“As I said before, we have our full and wholehearted support and cooperation on this issue.
“Let me be clear: The law must take its own course.
“While 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 our duty and service to all of you.
Daniel Haygarth19 February 2026 12:06
Breaking news: King says ‘the law must take its course’ after his brother’s arrest
The King said the “law must take its course” after expressing his “deepest concern” over the arrest of his brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

Tom Barnes19 February 2026 12:04
Police commentator reveals how long Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor could be held by police
Dan Haygarth19 February 2026 12:00
The Queen arrived for a public hearing hours after police confirmed Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest
The Queen arrived in Westminster for the engagement just hours after police confirmed the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Wearing a velvet navy blue jacket, Camilla was welcomed by representatives of Sinfonia Smith Square, where she would attend the orchestra concert at noon.
Dan HaygarthFebruary 19, 2026 11:52




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