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Andrew Looked Distressed in First Sighting After 11-Hour Police Detention [Photos]

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor driven from Crathie Kirk Church following the service on August 11, 2019 in Crathie, AberdeenshireImage. (Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Duncan McGlynn)

BY MADHURIMA MITRA

Feb. 20 2026, Published 02:56 AM. ET

Trigger Warning: This article contains themes of child sexual abuse that some readers may find distressing.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor seemed visibly shaken when he was spotted leaving Aylsham Police Station in the UK on Thursday, February 19, on his 66th birthday. The ex-Prince was detained for 11 hours on charges of misconduct during his time in public office. As he sat in the backseat of a car, he had a stunned expression on his face. A male driver and an unidentified man were accompanying him. The images soon went viral as authorities confirmed the arrest, highlighting the intensity of the allegations now hanging over the royal.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is seen returning after leaving police custody, following his arrest on February 19, 2026 in Sandringham, Norfolk. (Image Source: Getty Images | Peter Nicholls) — Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is seen returning after leaving police custody, following his arrest on February 19, 2026, in Sandringham, Norfolk. (Image Source: Getty Images | Peter Nicholls)

It happened in the wee hours of the morning. As per the BBC, Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested from Wood Farm at the Sandringham Estate in connection with claims of treason during his time as the British trade envoy from 2001 to 2011. He has been accused of sharing classified information about trade documents with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. The ex-Duke had relocated to Norfolk sooner than expected after the latest batch of Epstein files, vacating Royal Lodge in Windsor earlier this month. Unmarked police cars were seen in the area during the time. If convicted, Mountbatten-Windsor could face a lifetime sentence.

While confirming the arrest, the UK’s Thames Valley Police in their statement said they had “arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office." They also mentioned the searches were being carried out in places like Berkshire and Norfolk. Although the department said it won’t identify the individual in line with the national guidance, the BBC identified him as Mountbatten-Windsor.

Assistant Chief Constable Olivia Wright also said in a statement, “Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office. It is important that we protect the integrity and objectivity of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged offense. We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time.”

Image Source: U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals — Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor with his arms around then-17-year-old Virginia Giuffre. (Image Source: US Second Circuit Court of Appeals)

Document-sharing isn’t the only part of the investigation. The Thames Valley police had also confirmed earlier this week that it was investigating allegations that a woman was trafficked to the UK by Epstein for a s****l encounter with the former Prince. It took place at his former residence, Royal Lodge, in 2010. In 2019, Virginia Giuffre also accused the disgraced royal of s******y assaulting her when she was 17 after being trafficked by Epstein. Before her passing earlier this year by su*c*de, she had settled a lawsuit against Mountbatten-Windsor for an undisclosed amount of money in 2022. Mountbatten-Windsor, for his part, has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.

If you are being subjected to sexual assault, or know of anyone who is, please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673)

If you know of any children who are being subjected to abuse, please contact The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at (800) 422-4453