Brother to UK King Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Comes Under Investigation for Public Misconduct

Published 02/19/2026, 8:30 AM EST

The former prince, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s fall from royal grace has escalated dramatically since his initial removal from official titles. Once formally stripped of his princely status, the Duke of York title, and key royal honors, he is no longer considered part of the British royal family. His public image has shifted from ceremonial prominence to a figure under intense scrutiny.

Now, the drama continues as the brother of King Charles III has come under investigation for public misconduct. 

Ex-prince Andrew's investigation does not fare well

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Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, according to reporting by BBC News. The allegation centers on the alleged handling and sharing of confidential material while he held an official public position. The arrest marks the first time a modern member of the British Royal Family has been taken into police custody. 

Thames Valley Police confirmed that a man in his sixties from Norfolk was arrested and remains in custody, although none actually took the former royal's name. For now, officers are conducting searches at multiple addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk as part of an active and ongoing investigation.

BBC News published photos of vehicles arriving at Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s Norfolk estate during the operation. He has denied any wrongdoing as authorities continue their inquiries, with police emphasizing that the investigation remains at an important stage, noting that it is significant that he was arrested, not investigated under caution.

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The Royal Family did not mince words, issuing a firm statement as the investigation into the former prince intensified.

What the royal family has to say about the matter

Following the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, King Charles III issued a formal statement expressing grave concern while clearly distancing the monarchy from the investigation. He underscored that legal authorities must proceed independently and confirmed his full cooperation with law enforcement.

Buckingham Palace reinforced that position through a spokesperson, stating the institution would support the investigation as required. The Palace clarified that responsibility for addressing the allegations rests solely with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, not the Crown.

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Through Kensington Palace, Prince William and Kate Middleton supported the King's statement, according to sources speaking to the Press Association. Separately, Prince Harry, once linked to rumours of a physical altercation with Andrew, has remained publicly silent.

Queen Camilla offered no personal remarks but continued official duties, attending a Westminster orchestral concert hours later. The King later indicated he would refrain from further comment as proceedings continue, reaffirming the family’s obligation to public service.

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What do you think about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest? Let us know in the comments!

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Iffat Siddiqui

756 articles

Iffat is an Entertainment Journalist at Netflix Junkie. A word wizard, she had the sorting hat smoke at the seams owing to her excellence in everything Hollywood and cinema until it finally declared that she belonged to the Royals, specifically Meghan Markle. Boasting over 300 articles (and counting), each one tastefully infused with the right mix of facts, wit, opinion, and essentially everything to make a perfect pop culture piece, she is the epitome of a trustworthy entertainment journalist.

Edited By: Hriddhi Maitra

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