King Charles reacts to brother Andrew's arrest amid Epstein row: ‘Learned with deepest concern’

King Charles' brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested by UK police on suspicions of ‘misconduct’ in public office amid the ongoing Epstein files row.

Updated on: Feb 19, 2026, 20:03:33 IST

By Shivya Kanojia

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King Charles III said on Thursday that the law must take its course following the arrest of his younger brother, former Prince Andrew, on suspicion of misconduct in public office amid the Epstein files row. The monarch added that he had “learned the news with the deepest concern” and said the royal family would fully support the police investigation.

"I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office," Charles said in a statement.

Charles' reaction came hours after former prince Andrew was arrested, the same day he turned 66 years old.

“What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities ... Let me state clearly: the law must take its course,” the British monarch's statement added.

Why was Andrew arrested?

King Charles' brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who is a former British prince, was arrested by the UK police on suspicions of ‘misconduct’ in public office amid the ongoing Epstein files row. Mountbatten-Windsor faces allegations of passing confidential government documents to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Also read| Ex-Prince Andrew arrested over ‘misconduct’ amid Epstein files row

Thames Valley Police confirmed that it had opened an investigation into an offense of misconduct in public office and arrested a man in his sixties. Mountbatten-Windsor turned 66 on Thursday.

Earlier in the day, several British reports said that police arrived at the residence of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in eastern England.

Six unmarked police cars and around eight officers in civvies had reportedly arrived at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate in eastern England earlier in the day, Reuters reported.

Mountbatten-Windsor is a member of the British royal family and the second son of the late Queen Elizabeth.

The emails released by the US Department of Justice last month showed Andrew allegedly disclosing confidential information to Epstein during his time as UK trade envoy, a position he held between 2001 and 2011.

While he has consistently denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died in prison in 2019, Mountbatten-Windsor has said he regrets their friendship with him.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shivya Kanojia
Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgement and a clear understanding of what makes a story both important and traffic-driven. An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya brings a thoughtful balance of news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring stories resonate beyond the immediate headline. Over the course of her three-year journey in the digital news space, Shivya has worked across a wide range of beats, including politics, civic issues, human-interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to approach stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is breaking down complex developments or spotlighting everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human-interest stories, interviews and explainers that offer depth and clarity, aiming to move past surface-level reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a broad spectrum of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism . Outside the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafés, drawn to good coffee, cosy spaces and unhurried conversations. Shopping is another pastime she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of stumbling upon unexpected finds. Above all, she treasures time spent with loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that linger long after.Read More

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