Was King Charles warned of the arrest of the former Prince Andrew?

Was King Charles warned?

On Thursday, February 19, 2026, UK police arrested Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (the former Prince Andrew) on his 66th birthday. At around 8:00 a.m. local time, six unmarked police vehicles arrived at Wood Farm, on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, which is Andrew's current residence.

Searches were simultaneously conducted at other property addresses, including Royal Lodge in Windsor. The charge was related to the Epstein files, but not regarding any sexual misconduct. Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct while in public office.

A question worth asking is whether King Charles III had advance notice and taken steps to distance himself from his troubled sibling? Last October, the King began stripping his sibling of all royal titles and forced him to move from his home.

He lost the title "prince" and left his Windsor mansion, Royal Lodge. He is no longer the Duke of York and will not be known again as His Royal Highness.

The changes, along with being removed from royal duties, came after his association with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was made public. A picture surfaced with Andrew hugging a 17-year-old Virginia Giuffrie.

In 2022, he settled a civil sexual assault lawsuit with Giuffre for an estimated £12 million ($16 million). He did not admit liability. Giuffre later died, allegedly by suicide.

What did the King know?

Was it only a coincidence that the King began taking steps to strip his younger brother of everything related to the royal family four months before his arrest? Could it be that Charles III was given advance notice of what was coming and took steps to distance himself and protect the "crown? "

This is only speculation, but it's possible that British authorities gave the monarch a heads-up with the courtesy warning. King Charles III released a statement expressing "deepest concern" and emphasized that "the law must take its course." He pledged the royal family's full cooperation with the investigation.

The investigation is being led by Thames Valley Police with a focus is on claims that between 2001 and 2011, Andrew shared confidential government information with Epstein during his tenure as a UK trade envoy.

Andrew was arrested on suspicion of an offense but has not been formally charged. In the UK, misconduct in public office is a serious common law offense that can carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

There have been rumors that Charles was disgusted when the initial allegations about Andrew and Epstein came to light. Could he have removed his sibling's titles to ensure he would be prosecuted to the full extent of the law? Consider the following.

Constitutional experts have noted that while the monarch has certain legal immunities, other members of the royal family—especially those who have been stripped of their titles—are treated as ordinary citizens under the law.

Suspicious Timing

Did the King set his brother up for the fall, where he would be treated like a commoner? Did his advisors tell him it would be best to sacrifice Andrew for the good of the British people? The timing is suspect, but there is no evidence that this was a calculated move.

The former prince was arrested after a formal complaint filed earlier this month by the group Republic who cited documents that were part of Epstein files released in January 2026 by the U.S. Justice Department.

Prince William gave the following statement about his uncle.

"I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office," the king said.

"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," Charles continued. "In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and cooperation. Let me state clearly: the law must take its course."

Be on the lookout for updates to this ongoing saga as they become available.