Prince William and Princess Kate Middleton are standing firm with King Charles III following Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest.
The Prince and Princess of Wales will not be issuing their own statement regarding the royal family drama, Us Weekly understands that the couple is in full support of Charles’ statement.
News broke on Thursday, February 19, that Andrew, 66, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The U.K.’s Thames Valley Police confirmed to the BBC that they “arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk,” noting that searches are being carried out in Berkshire and Norfolk as well.
While the authorities did not name the suspect, per national guidance, it was widely reported that Andrew was arrested at his Sandringham estate. Charles, 77, later addressed the former Duke of York being taken into police custody.
“I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office,” the king shared in a statement obtained by Us Weekly. “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. In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and cooperation.”
The statement concluded, “Let me state clearly: the law must take its course. As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.”
Us has reached out to Andrew’s lawyer, Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace for further comment.
The Thames Valley Police confirmed to the BBC earlier this month that they were looking into allegations that Andrew shared confidential information with late billionaire sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein while serving as a U.K. trade envoy from 2001 to 2011.
Authorities also revealed earlier this month that they were assessing a separate claim that Epstein trafficked a woman to the U.K. for an alleged sexual encounter with Andrew in 2010.
Andrew’s reported connection to Epstein has been making headlines for years. In 2019, Virginia Giuffre alleged that she had several sexual encounters with Andrew in 2001 while she was underage.
Giuffre — who died by suidice at age 41 in April 2025 — sued Andrew for sexual abuse in 2021. They settled out of court the following year. Giuffre shared details of her alleged encounters with Andrew and Epstein in her memoir, Nobody’s Girl, which was released posthumously in October 2025. Andrew has continued to deny all of her allegations against him.
Following the memoir’s release, Charles announced his decision to formally strip Andrew of his royal titles.
“Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence,” a statement from Buckingham Palace read. “Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation. These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him.”
The statement concluded, “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.”
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