It comes as pictures circulated online, appearing to show unmarked police cars attending Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.
Plain-clothed officers appeared to gather outside Andrew’s home on his 66th birthday.
In a statement, Thames Valley Police Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said: “Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office.
Thames Valley Police have opened an investigation into an offence of misconduct in public office.
A man in his sixties from Norfolk has been arrested and remains in police custody. As per national guidance we will not name the arrested man.
Read more: https://t.co/wehZDx4InV pic.twitter.com/b23l2KeOHG
— Thames Valley Police (@ThamesVP) February 19, 2026
“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.”
What we know about Andrew’s arrest so far
What we do know so far is that Andrew is in custody and the police are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk.
Thames Valley Police said he was arrested after a “thorough assessment”, with an investigation now opened.
What we don’t know about Andrew’s arrest so far
There are a few significant details we don’t know about Andrew’s arrest, including the specifics of the allegations being investigated by police.
Additionally, it is not known what information prompted Thames Valley Police to arrest the former prince.
No details have been released on where he is being held and whether he has been interviewed under caution yet.
What allegations has Andrew faced?
Andrew has faced allegations, which he strenuously denies, that he sexually assaulted a teenage Virginia Giuffre after she was trafficked by paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
He paid millions to Ms Giuffre, a woman he has claimed never to have met, to settle a civil sexual assault claim in 2022.
Andrew stepped down from royal duties in 2019 after an interview on BBC Newsnight, but the publication of Ms Giuffre’s posthumous memoir, and the US government’s release of documents from Epstein’s estate, brought more scrutiny over his relationship with the financier.
It led to the King officially stripping his disgraced brother of both his HRH style and his prince title in 2025.
Andrew has repeatedly denied all wrongdoing in relation to Epstein, and said he did not “see, witness or suspect any behaviour of the sort that subsequently led to his arrest and conviction”.
Epstein was found dead in his cell at a federal jail in Manhattan, New York, in August 2019 while he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges. His death was ruled a suicide.
