Former British royal Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, previously known as Prince Andrew, has emerged at the center of international scrutiny after newly released documents from the U.S. Epstein Files suggested he shared confidential government material with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. The revelations have prompted a police investigation in the United Kingdom and underscore fresh concerns about the former prince’s conduct during his decade-long role as a UK special envoy for trade.

Thames Valley Police arrested Mountbatten-Windsor on February 19, 2026, on suspicion of misconduct in public office, a serious offence that can carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, though prosecutions under the charge are rare and complex. He was held in custody for several hours before being released under investigation. Authorities said the arrest is directly tied to allegations he forwarded sensitive British government documents to Epstein while still serving in an official capacity.

The U.S. Department of Justice’s release of millions of pages from the Epstein Files under the Epstein Files Transparency Act has unearthed emails from 2010 indicating Mountbatten-Windsor forwarded reports from overseas trade missions — including confidential briefings on Southeast Asia visits and investment opportunities in Afghanistan — to Epstein. Some exchanges reportedly explored potential business ventures, such as a proposed $8 billion “cash-for-oil” arrangement involving contacts in the Middle East.

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Experts note that such communications may breach the duty of confidentiality expected of government representatives. Trade envoys are typically bound by strict protocols governing sensitive commercial and diplomatic information; the new documents suggest Mountbatten-Windsor continued private communications with Epstein years after the financier’s 2008 conviction.

The revelations compound the former prince’s long-standing controversies tied to Epstein. Mountbatten-Windsor previously settled a civil lawsuit in 2022 with Virginia Giuffre, who had alleged sexual misconduct linked to Epstein’s trafficking network; he denied liability and has consistently denied wrongdoing in the new disclosures.

The ongoing investigation has intensified public and political debate in the UK about accountability for high-profile figures. Buckingham Palace and the government have pledged cooperation with law enforcement, with officials stressing the importance of the rule of law. Mountbatten-Windsor has not issued a public statement since his arrest, and prosecutors have yet to announce whether charges will be filed.

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