February 21, 2026 | 05:04 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly British royal Prince Andrew, has been released from police custody after being apprehended for alleged misconduct in office. He was accused of transmitting government secrets to sexual offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Detectives from the Thames Valley Police interrogated Mountbatten-Windsor throughout the day on Thursday, February 19, 2026, coinciding with his 66th birthday. The investigation started earlier this month after the police confirmed suspicions that Mountbatten-Windsor had shared documents with Epstein while working as a trade envoy.
As reported by Al Jazeera, King Charles II stated following the morning arrest that the law must take its course. Currently, police officers are still investigating several allegations that surfaced after the U.S. authorities embarrassed Epstein with over 3 million pages of documents.
The documents revealed that in 2010, Mountbatten-Windsor forwarded reports of his official visits to Vietnam, Singapore, and other areas to Epstein. In one classified memo, he even sought Epstein's input on investment opportunities in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Quoted from Al Jazeera, Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright stated that, after a careful assessment, they have opened an inquiry into the allegations 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 offence. We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time."
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is required to cooperate with U.S. authorities investigating the matter, said UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. "No one is above the law," he added. Mountbatten-Windsor consistently denies all allegations.
Epstein's accuser's family, Virginia Giuffre, welcomed the news when the arrest became public. "At last, today, our broken hearts have been lifted at the news that no one is above the law, not even royalty," stated Giuffre's sibling in a statement to CBS News. "He was never a prince. For survivors everywhere, Virginia did this for you," said a member of Giuffre's family, who died by suicide last year at the age of 41.
As reported by Al Jazeera, Giuffre had accused Epstein of trafficking her to have sexual relations with Mountbatten-Windsor on three occasions, twice when she was just 17 years old. These allegations, coupled with other documents, sparked public outrage in the UK over his association with Epstein.
Ultimately, it culminated in the prince being stripped of his royal titles and honors, and in the announcement that he would be evicted from his home on the Windsor Royal Estate in West London. Andrew has always denied the rape allegations made by Giuffre.
After she launched a lawsuit against him, he paid her a multimillion-pound settlement in 2022 without admitting guilt.
Read: Ex-Prince Andrew: What You Need to Know
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Ex-Prince Andrew: What You Need to Know
1 hari lalu
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, appears to be the first British royal arrested; his ties to Jeffrey Epstein are well-known.
Fact Check: Epstein Files Do Not Suggest Joe Biden Died in 2019
1 hari lalu
An Instagram account claimed that Joe Biden was executed in 2019 and replaced by a masked, engineered clone as President from 2021 to 2025.
Former Prince Andrew Arrested in Epstein Investigation
1 hari lalu
British police arrested former Prince Andrew on February 19, 2026, for alleged public office violations linked to the Epstein investigation.
UN Experts: Epstein Abuses May Qualify as 'Crimes Against Humanity'
3 hari lalu
The UN experts have called for an independent investigation into the sex trafficking network of Epstein, based on newly released documents.
How Epstein Got So Rich
4 hari lalu
How did the well-connected financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein amass such great wealth?
Epstein Files: Ex-Trump Advisor Sought to Undermine Pope Francis
4 hari lalu
The latest Epstein files reveal that close associates of former President Trump sought to undermine Pope Francis.
Today's Top 3 News: Cannibalism Rumors in the Epstein Files, Countries Competing in the 2026 Olympics
7 hari lalu
Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today.
Dubai's DP World Replaces Chair Amid Epstein Revelations
7 hari lalu
The Dubai-based logistics giant named a new chair after Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem's Epstein links were revealed.
Former Israeli PM Admits Long-Standing Ties to Jeffrey Epstein
7 hari lalu
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak admits to having a relationship with businessman Jeffrey Epstein, causing a global uproar.
Norway's Ex-PM Charged with Corruption After Ties with Epstein Revealed
7 hari lalu
Norway police raided several of Jagland's residences on Thursday. He is charged with aggravated corruption after police probe his ties with Epstein.
