Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the secret sealed document and his arrest

[SuspectUsual]

I imagine it was either a dawn raid or late last night, so as little attention could be grabbed at the time.

Hopefully this morning, as its his birthday

 

[AlterEgo]

Hopefully this morning, as its his birthday

Looks like it was this morning, as the Mirror broke this earlier than the BBC: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/royals/breaking-police-arrive-disgraced-andrews-36747284

Police have arrested Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor at his temporary home on the Sandringham estate this morning on suspicion of misconduct in public office, Thames Valley Police has said.

At least six unmarked cars with eight officers in plain clothes carrying police issue laptops were spotted driving into Wood Farm around 8am today - Andrew's 66th birthday.

 

[styles]

I imagine it was either a dawn raid or late last night, so as little attention could be grabbed at the time.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Feb 2026 ==


Makes the US look even worse now in relation to holding their elites to justice.

He should've been better friends with Trump. Then the US might've said he was a diplomat and he could've fled the UK under diplomatic immunity.

 

[SuspectUsual]

Thames Valley police statement:

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 man remains in police custody at this time.

We will not be naming the arrested man, as per national guidance. Please also remember that this case is now active so care should be taken with any publication to avoid being in contempt of court.

Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said: “Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation 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.”

Taken from BBC live updates ==> https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c70kjr9wjw0t

[Edited to correct the arresting force to Thames Valley; he was arrested in Norfolk though]

 

[ainsworth74]

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.

I know this is both factually accurate and also how they have to report such things but it does sound really funny when it's someone as famous as Andrew.

Please also remember that this case is now active so care should be taken with any publication to avoid being in contempt of court.

And I will use this helpful quote from Thames Valley Police to remind members please be careful in what they say. We not going to lock the thread just yet but that will require people to use their heads when posting!

 

[EYFanatic]

Hopefully this morning, as its his birthday

It was indeed this morning as somebody near the estate saw cars from Thames Valley turn up there and figured it out - posting to twitter

I agree with what has already been said regarding what we say as there is the slight chance of prejudicing the case, but I find it a bit telling that its only the misconduct in public office and only a suspicion of that at the moment and nothing regarding the other alleged things against him

Assuming they follow the standard protocol for such matters, he would have been taken to King's Lynn station to be dealt with there and then transferred to a station in the TV force area. I'm going on a bit of guesswork, but its what they do when one force arrests somebody in another force's area

 

[styles]

More importantly - how will he cope sleeping in custody without his perfectly-arranged teddy bear collection?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I wonder if they will be drawing lots in CID for the right to conduct the interview(s)?!

 

[ainsworth74]

but I find it a bit telling that its only the misconduct in public office and only a suspicion of that at the moment

Is that not typical? You are arrested on suspicion of something even if it was totally obvious that you'd done (not that I'm saying that applies in Andrew's case!). The Police might catch you with laptop under your arm as you hop out of someone's living room window and they'd arrest you on suspicion of burglary I think?

 

[43096]

More importantly - how will he cope sleeping in custody without his perfectly-arranged teddy bear collection?

It’s his birthday today, too!

 

[Bletchleyite]

Is that not typical? You are arrested on suspicion of something even if it was totally obvious that you'd done (not that I'm saying that applies in Andrew's case!). The Police might catch you with laptop under your arm as you hop out of someone's living room window and they'd arrest you on suspicion of burglary I think?

Correct, only a Court can pronounce someone guilty of an offence, until then they are under suspicion of it even if it's glaringly obvious to a 5 year old that they did actually do it. That's why it's only an "alleged offence" until the point of conviction by a Court, even where such conviction is a foregone conclusion.

It's similar to the fact that only a healthcare professional can pronounce someone dead even if it is glaringly obvious that there is no possibility they could be alive.

 

[styles]

Indeed, the police are investigators, not judges.

Hence the notice to detained persons is, "I am arresting you on suspicion of [offence]. You do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defence if you do not mention, when questioned, something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence."

 

[The exile]

Is that not typical? You are arrested on suspicion of something even if it was totally obvious that you'd done (not that I'm saying that applies in Andrew's case!). The Police might catch you with laptop under your arm as you hop out of someone's living room window and they'd arrest you on suspicion of burglary I think?

Surely everything is suspicion / accusation / allegation until it becomes “charge” and is ultimately proven one way or another in a court of law - whoever you are.

 

[styles]

It’s his birthday today, too!

I hadn't clocked that. That's quite funny. Wonder if the custody skipper will get him a cake.

 

[The exile]

It's similar to the fact that only a healthcare professional can pronounce someone dead even if it is glaringly obvious that there is no possibility they could be alive.

Although that one is in some circumstances even more ludicrous- even though it is understandable why a blanket rule has to apply.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

It’s his birthday today, too!

I wonder if someone timed the arrest deliberately for that reason?

 

[AlterEgo]

It was indeed this morning as somebody near the estate saw cars from Thames Valley turn up there and figured it out - posting to twitter

I agree with what has already been said regarding what we say as there is the slight chance of prejudicing the case, but I find it a bit telling that its only the misconduct in public office and only a suspicion of that at the moment

You are only ever arrested "on suspicion of" something. The police do not decide your guilt, they arrest suspects (if necessary) and collect evidence.

 

[Harpo]

I’ve said before that it wasn’t a good look for the King to be harbouring Andrew at Sandringham but never thought it would end quite as badly as this for ‘the firm’ .

It’s not a good look for UK justice either when after years of inactivity on allegations relating to young women, it appears to be money matters that cause the police to take rapid action.

 

[JamesT]

I’ve said before that it wasn’t a good look for the King to be harbouring Andrew at Sandringham but never thought it would end quite as badly as this for ‘the firm’ .

It’s not a good look for UK justice either when after years of inactivity on allegations relating to young women, it appears to be money matters that cause the police to take rapid action.

Though as I noted previously on this thread, from what has been made public it's not clear there have been any offences of that nature committed that UK police could investigate.

 

[EYFanatic]

Is that not typical? You are arrested on suspicion of something even if it was totally obvious that you'd done (not that I'm saying that applies in Andrew's case!). The Police might catch you with laptop under your arm as you hop out of someone's living room window and they'd arrest you on suspicion of burglary I think?

Yes, quite

What I meant was that its only a suspicion of a crime and that he may well be innocent (unlike how it is being portrayed on social media). Would such an offence, of anybody and not just the person arrested this morning, be tried at a Crown Court or at the High Court?

 

[SuspectUsual]

Wonder if he’s sweating now?

 

[brad465]

I hadn't clocked that. That's quite funny. Wonder if the custody skipper will get him a cake.

I wonder if someone timed the arrest deliberately for that reason?

*Knock on the door. Andrew answers
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Andrew Albert Christian Edward Mountbatten-Windsor, you are under arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office..."

 

[Harpo]

Though as I noted previously on this thread, from what has been made public it's not clear there have been any offences of that nature committed that UK police could investigate.

There is also substantial evidence of trafficking of young women from the Epstein files and I can see no reason why those who found themselves in their company (yes mods- I’ve read your guidance) could not have been interviewed first to give primacy to those issues.

 

[AlterEgo]

Though as I noted previously on this thread, from what has been made public it's not clear there have been any offences of that nature committed that UK police could investigate.

Especially as the main witness who made the allegations is

a) dead, and
b) when alive, was extremely unreliable, to put it diplomatically

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Feb 2026 ==

There is also substantial evidence of trafficking of young women from the Epstein files and I can see no reason why those who found themselves in their company (yes mods- I’ve read your guidance) could not have been interviewed first to give primacy to those issues.

But those offences did not take place in the UK. Andrew is being "encouraged to cooperate" with the US authorities, who are not particularly interested in moving at speed on this issue anyway, for several reasons.

 

[ainsworth74]

Would such an offence, of anybody and not just the person arrested this morning, be tried at a Crown Court or at the High Court?

It would be Magistrates or Crown Court (the High Court is a civil court) but I believe that it will be the Crown Court as Misconduct in Public Office is an indictable only offence (which means it must be heard in front of a judge and jury) as well as the potential maximum sentence (life imprisonment) being outside the sentencing powers of the Magistrates. The case will still start in the Magistrates but that's a simple admin matter, the substantive case would be in the Crown Court.

 

[AlterEgo]

It would be Magistrates or Crown Court (the High Court is a civil court) but I believe that it will be the Crown Court as Misconduct in Public Office is an indictable only offence (which means it must be heard in front of a judge and jury) as well as the potential maximum sentence (life imprisonment) being outside the sentencing powers of the Magistrates. The case will still start in the Magistrates but that's a simple admin matter, the substantive case would be in the Crown Court.

I'm quite surprised the maximum sentence is life, to be honest.

 

[EYFanatic]

It would be Magistrates or Crown Court (the High Court is a civil court) but I believe that it will be the Crown Court as Misconduct in Public Office is an indictable only offence (which means it must be heard in front of a judge and jury) as well as the potential maximum sentence (life imprisonment) being outside the sentencing powers of the Magistrates. The case will still start in the Magistrates but that's a simple admin matter, the substantive case would be in the Crown Court.

Would previous good character be taken into account at arriving at a sentence?

 

[Harpo]

But those offences did not take place in the UK.

Recent Epstein file releases have revealed organised liaisons involving Andrew in royal residences in the UK.

I’d not label them as ‘offences’ though.

 

[ainsworth74]

Would previous good character be taken into account at arriving at a sentence?

Yes as with sentencing for any crime mitigation and aggravating factors will be considered when arriving at the appropriate sentence.

I'm quite surprised the maximum sentence is life, to be honest.

It took me by surprise as well but:

Misconduct in public office (“MiPO”) is a common law offence that can be tried only on indictment. It carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Misconduct in Public Office | The Crown Prosecution Service

www.cps.gov.uk

There is also substantial evidence of trafficking of young women from the Epstein files and I can see no reason why those who found themselves in their company (yes mods- I’ve read your guidance) could not have been interviewed first to give primacy to those issues.

When you're going after someone like Andrew you want to make sure that you're choosing offences you're extremely confident about. You don't want to mess this up! Plus lets not forget that they got Capone on tax evasion rather than his litany of other crimes.

 

[styles]

I'm quite surprised the maximum sentence is life, to be honest.

It's a common law offence established in the 1700s. Bear in mind that in the 1800s, hanging around with Gypsies carried capital punishment.