Former Prince Andrew has been released after being arrested and questioned all day by police in a misconduct case related to his official duties involving Jeffrey Epstein.
International news agencies reported that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, or former Prince Andrew, the younger brother of King Charles III of the British royal family, was released on the evening of Thursday, 19 Feb 2026 (local time) after being arrested as a suspect in misconduct charges for sending confidential documents to Jeffrey Epstein.
Former Prince Andrew, who turned 66 on the same day, was questioned throughout the day by investigators from Thames Valley Police. Earlier this month, the police stated they were investigating allegations that Andrew sent confidential documents to Epstein while he served as the UK's special trade envoy.
The arrest of a senior royal family member, eighth in line to the throne, is an unprecedented event in modern UK history.
Reuters reporters saw Andrew leaving the police station in Aylsham, eastern England, shortly after 7:00 p.m. local time, where a number of photographers and TV crews were waiting to cover the story.
Thames Valley Police announced on Thursday evening that the “male detainee” had been released without charge, but the investigation continues. They did not name Andrew specifically.
Former Prince Andrew faces allegations of sexual abuse of women, facilitated over many years by Jeffrey Epstein, which he has consistently denied. The US decided to release millions of documents, including images and emails related to Epstein’s cases, which contain inappropriate photos of Andrew.
In late January, the US published a new batch of documents including emails indicating that Andrew disclosed confidential information from his role as a trade envoy during 2010-2011 to Jeffrey Epstein.
One disclosed email dated 7 October 2010 shows Andrew sending official travel details as a trade envoy to Singapore, Vietnam, Shenzhen in China, and Hong Kong to Epstein. Epstein’s business associates were also part of this trip.
After the trip ended on 30 November that year, Andrew apparently forwarded an official report to Epstein just five minutes after receiving it from his assistant, Amit Patel.
On Christmas Eve that year, Andrew emailed Epstein confidential information about investment opportunities in the reconstruction of Helmand Province, Afghanistan, which was then under British military control and funded by the UK government, even though Epstein had already been convicted of sexual offenses.
.cna