- What Happened: Former Prince Andrew was arrested in connection with the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, marking the first arrest tied to the Epstein list.
- Why It Matters: King Charles stripped Andrew of his royal titles last October after the DOJ released files detailing his relationship with Epstein.
- Bottom Line: Democrats on the House Oversight Committee are demanding answers from former UK official Peter Mandelson as well, while simultaneously using the arrest to push their narrative against Trump.
The first arrest connected to the Epstein investigation has finally been made, and it came with a royal title attached.
Former Prince Andrew, whose ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have been an open secret for years, was arrested Thursday in what California Rep. Robert Garcia called "an enormous step forward" in lawmakers' fight for justice.
"Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest is an enormous step forward in our fight to secure justice for the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's horrific crimes," Garcia wrote in a statement.
🚨 HOLY CRAP! Former Prince Andrew has been ARRESTED by British Police following revelations in the newly released Epstein files
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) February 19, 2026
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the younger brother of King Charles, was taken into custody this morning, his 66th birthday.
FINALLY! pic.twitter.com/QCXUC7UA9Z
King Charles III had already stripped his brother of his royal titles last October after the Justice Department released files from its Epstein probe that contained new details about the former prince's relationship with the disgraced financier. Democratic lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee had requested congressional testimony from Andrew back in November over his alleged ties to Epstein's illicit activities.
Now he is under arrest. Better late than never.
British police have arrested former Prince Andrew, the brother of King Charles, because he passed state secrets to deceased Wall Street financier Jeffrey Epstein, the Deep State rapist at the center of the Epstein files controversy.
— The New American (@NewAmericanMag) February 19, 2026
Now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the…
But predictably, Democrats could not let a significant moment stand on its own without turning it into an attack on President Trump. Garcia used his statement to declare that "President Trump and his Epstein Administration are not above the law," and Rep. Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico piled on with a post on X reading, "If a Prince can be held accountable, so can a President."
There is zero evidence connecting Trump to Epstein's crimes, but that has never stopped Democrats from making the insinuation.
Meanwhile, former UK official Peter Mandelson, who stepped down as British ambassador to the US after his own Epstein connections became public, declined a request for a transcribed interview with the Oversight Committee. Lawmakers set a deadline of February 27 for a response.
One arrest down. The survivors deserve a lot more.

