Today, February 19, 2026, King Charles III issued a formal response following the arrest of his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (formerly Prince Andrew). The King’s reaction has been described by royal observers as a firm “distancing” of the monarchy from the ongoing legal proceedings.
In an official release from Buckingham Palace, King Charles expressed “the deepest concern” regarding the news. He emphasized a commitment to the legal process, stating…
​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. He said, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation. Let me state clearly the law must take its course.
The King explicitly pledged the Royal Family’s “wholehearted support and co-operation” with the Thames Valley Police investigation.
Charles noted that it would not be “right” to comment further while the investigation is active, choosing instead to focus on his “duty and service” to the public.
This reaction follows a series of decisive moves by the King, including stripping Andrew of his “Prince” and “Duke of York” titles in late 2025 and recently evicting him from Royal Lodge.
Andrew was taken into custody earlier today February 19 2026, at Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate on his 66th birthday. The arrest is on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
The investigation centers on allegations emerging from the “Epstein Files,” suggesting that he shared confidential government information with Epstein during his tenure as a UK trade envoy.
