Here’s if Charles Chose Not to Warn Andrew Before His Arrest as the King Confirms His ‘Wholehearted Cooperation’ With the Police’s Investigation into His Brother
Jason Pham
King Charles may be the King of the United Kingdom and the 14 other Commonwealth realms, but even he didn’t know his brother, ex-Prince Andrew, would be arrested until the former Duke of York was taken into custody.
Andrew was arrested on the morning of Thursday, February 19—his 66th birthday—on suspicion of misconduct in public office following allegations he shared confidential information with late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein while acting as a trade envoy for the U.K.
Andrew, who has denied any crimes in his relationship with Epstein, was arrested at his home at Charles’ Sandringham estate in Norfolk, England, where he had been living after he was forced to move out of his Royal Lodge residence in Windsor by Charles earlier this month.
According to People, Charles was not given a heads-up about Andrew’s arrest before it happened. Following the arrest, Charles released a statement in which he confirmed his cooperation with authorities. “I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office. 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,” the statement shared by Buckingham Palace read.
He continued, “In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation. Let me state clearly: the law must take its course. As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.”
Though they didn’t name Andrew as the arrested man, Thames Valley police confirmed in their own statement that they had arrested a man on “suspicion of misconduct in public office.” “As part of the investigation, we have today (19/2) arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office and are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk,” the statement read. “The man remains in police custody at this time.”
The news comes after BBC reported on February 9 that Thames Valley Police were investigating a complaint alleging that Andrew had shared confidential information related to his role as a trade envoy with Epstein. The complaint was brought by anti-monarchy group Republic, which accused Andrew of “suspected misconduct in public office and breach of official secrets.”
Republic alleged that emails between Andrew and Epstein showed that the former prince had shared confidential documents with epstein relating to his role as the U.K.’s representative for international trade and investment. He held the role from 2001 to 2011.
The arrest also comes after Andrew was stripped of his royal titles, including his prince and HRH titles, in October 2025. Royal historian Andrew Lownie told The Mirror at the time that he expected the British royal family to “throw Andrew under the bus” to protect their own secrets. “I’ve been saying for some time they’re going to throw Andrew under the bus to save themselves and this is the first indication of that,” he said. “I don’t think it’s the end of it. I think there are many more disclosures to come, but at least they’re taking some decisive action. So, I don’t think it’s all over for him.”
