Prince Andrew has not been charged with any crime, but he was recently arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office linked to his past role as a UK trade envoy and his connections to Jeffrey Epstein.

What was Prince Andrew arrested for?

Quick scoop

  • Former Prince Andrew (Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor) was arrested in February 2026 by UK police.
  • The arrest is on suspicion of misconduct in public office , not on sexual assault or trafficking charges.
  • He was questioned and then released “under investigation,” meaning the case is ongoing and he has not been formally charged.

The core allegation

Authorities are investigating claims that, while he served as a UK trade envoy (roughly 2001–2011), Andrew allegedly:

  • Shared confidential or sensitive government information.
  • Did so with Jeffrey Epstein or people connected to him.
  • Potentially breached official secrecy and his duties as a public office‑holder.

A UK anti‑monarchy campaign group reportedly filed a complaint alleging misconduct in public office and breach of official secrets, which helped trigger the police investigation.

Key facts in brief

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Question Answer
Was Prince Andrew “arrested”? Yes, he was taken into custody by UK police in February 2026 and later released under investigation.
What was he arrested for? On suspicion of misconduct in public office, linked to allegations he shared confidential information while a trade envoy, including with Jeffrey Epstein.
Is this about Epstein? Yes, the investigation is tied to emails and documents suggesting he passed government or commercial reports to Epstein.
Has he been charged? No. As of now, he has been arrested and released under investigation, with no formal criminal charges announced.
Has he denied wrongdoing? He has long denied any criminal wrongdoing regarding Epstein and has maintained that position.

How it connects to his trade envoy role

While acting as a UK trade envoy, Andrew’s job was to promote British business overseas and handle sensitive commercial and diplomatic information.

The allegations center on claims that:

  • He forwarded detailed trip reports and information about official visits (for example to Vietnam, Singapore, China, and Hong Kong) to Epstein.
  • Emails and documents released in connection with the “Epstein files” appear to show these reports being sent on shortly after he received them.

If proven, this could amount to:

  • A breach of confidentiality or official secrets.
  • Abuse of his position as a public office holder — hence “misconduct in public office.”

Current status and what’s next

  • Police have searched properties linked to Andrew, including homes in Norfolk and Berkshire.
  • He was questioned and then released “under investigation,” which means:
    • The arrest has happened.
    • Investigators are still reviewing evidence.
    • Prosecutors have not yet decided whether to bring charges.

Buckingham Palace has publicly said that the royal family will cooperate with the investigation and that “the law must take its course.”

Forum/“trending topic” angle

Online discussions and forums are focusing on several themes:

“Is this finally real accountability for a royal, or just a PR move that goes nowhere?”

“Important to remember: he’s only ‘suspected’ and hasn’t been charged — people are jumping to conclusions.”

Common viewpoints you’ll see:

  • Some users argue this is a historic moment: a senior royal being arrested over alleged misuse of office and Epstein links.
  • Others are cautious, pointing out he is presumed innocent, and that past high‑profile investigations sometimes ended without charges.
  • There’s also debate about whether wider royal or government figures might be drawn into the inquiry if more emails emerge.

Speculation is heavy, but at this point the only confirmed legal status is: arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, released under investigation, no charges yet.

TL;DR:
Prince Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, mainly over allegations that he shared confidential government information with Jeffrey Epstein while serving as a UK trade envoy; he has been released under investigation and has not been charged, and he continues to deny any criminal wrongdoing.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.