Live: Andrew pictured trying to hide in the back of a car as he leaves police custody

Friday, 20 February 2026

What you need to know

• A UK police force has arrested Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

• The arrest is part of an ongoing investigation into his past role as a UK trade envoy - not connected to the past sexual misconduct allegations.

• Andrew has been photographed leaving a police station, after being released under investigation.

• The last member of the British royal family known to have been arrested and detained before this was Charles I of England, who was taken into custody by Parliamentary forces in 1647 during the English Civil War.

• King Charles said his younger brother’s arrest was of “the deepest concern” and has vowed his “full and wholehearted support” to the police investigation.

• US President Donald Trump said the arrest was a 'very sad thing'.

• Andrew, who was stripped of his royal titles in 2025, remains eighth in line to the throne.

• The arrest - on his 66th birthday - follows frequent mention of Andrew in the Epstein files released by the US Department of Justice.