Ex-Prince Andrew Is Arrested on His Birthday as Cops Search Two Properties in England Amid Jeffrey Epstein Scandal

Former Prince Andrew was arrested Feb. 19—his 66th birthday–at his Norfolk home amid the ongoing backlash over his relationship with alleged pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

The former Duke of York, whose full name is Andrew Mountbatten Windsor and is the younger brother of King Charles III, was taken into custody by Thames Valley Police, where he is being held on "suspicion of misconduct in public office."

Officers arrived at the ex-royalty's home just after 8 a.m., as they revealed that "a man in his sixties from Norfolk" had been placed in cuffs and that law enforcement were now searching his homes in Berkshire and Norfolk.

Footage and photos from the arrest depicted plainclothed officers standing behind a row of trees surrounding Wood Farm, which is the Sandringham property where the ex-prince has been residing since being evicted from the Royal Lodge.

In a statement released on Thursday, King Charles said, he "learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office," which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison in the U.K.

He added, "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. 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," the king said, adding that he would not be commenting further amid the investigation into his brother, and that the rest of the royal family would "continue in our duty and service to you all."

His arrest comes amid revelations over his alleged friendship with the late, disgraced financier.

Just weeks before his arrest, an anti-royal organization called for law officials to look into documents alleging that the former prince shared confidential information with Epstein.

One week ago, police confirmed that they were investigating the claims.

The former prince, who was stripped of all his remaining royal titles in October 2025, has adamantly denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein.

The scandal surrounding the ex-prince reached new heights when Virginia Roberts Giuffre claimed that she was trafficked by Epstein to his high-profile pals, including Andrew.

Andrew stepped away from his royal duties in 2019. In 2022, he reached a legal settlement with Giuffre after she filed a lawsuit one year earlier, alleging that the former prince sexually assaulted her when she was 17.

Andrew has denied having sex with Giuffre.

Following his arrest, the Giuffre family released a statement, revealing, "Today, our broken hearts have been lifted at the news that no one is above the law, not even royalty. He was never a prince. For survivors everywhere, Virginia did this for you."

The family also extended their "gratitude" to the police.

It is immensely rare for a current or former member of the royal family to be arrested.

His arrest comes just weeks after he and his former spouse, Sarah Ferguson, officially vacated their former residence after being evicted from the property by the British monarch amid the ongoing backlash over their relationship with Epstein.

According to the BBC, he left his longtime home, Royal Lodge, on Feb. 2, with royal sources stating that he has taken up temporary residence at a property on the royal family's Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.

He will live in that home, which is located on a property known as Wood Farm, while renovations are carried out on his permanent residence at Marsh Farm, which is described as being "more modest."

The BBC reported that he will likely return to Royal Lodge in the coming weeks to collect the remainder of his belongings.

Meanwhile, mystery surrounds the future of Andrew's former spouse, Sarah, who had been living with him at Royal Lodge for years, despite their divorce.

Some sources have suggested that she is in the midst of hunting for her own home in Windsor, where Royal Lodge is located, while other insiders have said that she is considering moving into an annex in the Oxfordshire mansion owned by her daughter, Princess Beatrice, and son-in-law, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.

Other reports have claimed that Sarah will be spending time overseas for the next few weeks while she figures out her best options.

Addressing the speculation, her spokesperson told People that Sarah has not yet decided where to reside, revealing: "She is assessing a number of options currently, and no final decision has been made."

Andrew and his former spouse spent 20 years residing rent-free in the extravagant mansion, an arrangement that has sparked outcry among royal insiders.

According to Andrew's lease agreement, which was obtained by The Times of London, he paid around $1.3 million when he moved into the home and spent a further $9.9 million to renovate the property.

That lease laid out details of the "peppercorn" arrangement that Andrew agreed to when he moved into the home—which was bestowed upon him by his mother—noting that he had only paid a nominal amount annually if it was "demanded" of him.

The lease agreement runs through 2078 and applied to Andrew and his family, according to the outlet.

The former couple's exit from the storied property came amid renewed scandal over their alleged involvement with Epstein, after the Department of Justice released a trove of new images and documents pertaining to the Epstein case—including a photograph of Andrew standing over a woman lying on the floor.

That same document release also included emails sent to Epstein by Sarah in which the former Duchess of York made a crude comment about her daughter, Princess Eugenie, who was just 19 at the time.

While Andrew has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, he is facing fresh calls to submit to questioning by authorities in light of the latest release.

It was first reported Oct. 26 that Andrew had agreed to leave the property, with the initial suggestion that he would relocate to the nearby Frogmore Cottage, where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle previously lived.

It was later confirmed that Andrew would be moved to the royal family's longtime Sandringham estate in Norfolk, which served as the treasured country retreat to his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II. The move will be privately funded by King Charles.

"His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew," the October announcement statement read, according to the BBC. "Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.

"His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence. Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation."