- By Ajeet Kumar
- Thu, 19 Feb 2026 04:23 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
King Charles' younger brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was on Thursday arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office over allegations he sent confidential government documents to Jeffrey Epstein, the BBC reported. Thames Valley Police said earlier this month officers were considering allegations that Mountbatten-Windsor had passed documents to the late convicted sex offender, according to files released by the US government.
But did you know what happend with former Prince?
Earlier in October last year, Britain's King Charles stripped his younger brother Prince Andrew of his royal titles and ordered him to vacate his Windsor residence.
Who is Prince Andrew?
Prince Andrew, 65, the younger brother of Charles and second son of the late Queen Elizabeth, has come under mounting pressure in recent years over his behaviour and his ties to the late sex offender Epstein. Earlier last year, he was forced to stop using his title of Duke of York.
Why did King Charles strip Andrew's royal titles?
The decision to strip his title came after renewed public scrutiny of the 65-year-old Duke of York's association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following the release of Virginia Giuffre's posthumous memoir "Nobody's Girl".
Giuffre, who died by suicide in April at the age of 41, had accused Andrew of sexually assaulting her when she was a teenager--allegations the prince has repeatedly denied, CNN reported.
(Prince Andrew | CREDIT: REUTERS)
ALSO READ: Royal Scandal Unfolds: How Sex Abuse Allegations, Epstein Ties Brought Down Prince Andrew?
Andrew vacated property
Andrew had already relocated to a property on the King's privately owned Sandringham estate, rather than one belonging to the Crown Estate. The move was privately funded by King Charles and implemented as soon as practicable.
The Palace emphasised that these actions were taken despite Andrew's continued denials, citing "serious lapses of judgement" on his part. Sources told CNN that King Charles intends to issue royal warrants to revoke Andrew's peerages connected to York, Inverness and Killyleagh, rather than seeking a parliamentary act.
Buckingham Palace also stated that the British government had been consulted on the King's decision and expressed its full support for the move. "Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse," the statement added.
Why did Andrew happily offer to relinquish his titles?
Earlier last year, Andrew had reportedly offered to relinquish his titles in a bid to ease public criticism, but the gesture failed to quell outrage over his ties to Epstein. Questions also persist over how he financed a multimillion-dollar settlement paid to Giuffre in 2022 and maintained his lifestyle despite stepping back from royal duties in 2019.
Public anger deepened after reports emerged that Andrew had paid just USD 1 million for his Royal Lodge mansion in 2003 and continued to occupy it on a symbolic "peppercorn rent."
(With inputs from agency)