British police have arrested Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, on suspicion of abusing the authority he once held.
Andrew, who turned 66 today, is the son of the late ElizabethII and the younger brother of the current king, Charles III.
He was previously stripped of royal duties and titles following allegations linking him to Jeffrey Epstein, who was convicted of offences related to the sexual exploitation of underage girls. That decision effectively opened the door for further legal scrutiny.
Police operating under ThamesValley Police said Andrew was arrested in the Norfolk area on the morning of 19 February 2026, as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged abuse of power.
Authorities confirmed that he is being held while his residences in Norfolk and Berkshire are searched. The investigation follows what police described as an extensive review of his conduct.
Security analyst Danny Shaw told the BBC that arrests of this nature usually involve temporary detention lasting between 12 and 24 hours. During that time, a suspect may be informed of the allegations or held while investigations continue.
Shaw added that Andrew cannot be detained for more than 96 hours, and even that would require authorisation either from police leadership or a court with the authority to oversee the case.
He further explained that Andrew is being held in a standard police cell equipped with basic facilities, including a bed and toilet, while officers question him. Shaw stressed that Andrew is not being treated as a special case, noting that he is no longer a serving prince and therefore receives no privileged status under the law.