Trouble in Paradise: Epstein Files release prompts Ex-Prince Andrew’s Arrest

Mar 31 2026

By: Alarice Pow Ian-Ning

Editor: Taissiya Shegay

Editor-in-Chief: Grace Samuel

The views expressed are the author's own and do not reflect the views of the International Relations Society

Image credit: UCL Imagestore

News of the arrest of former Prince Andrew made international headlines on 19 February 2026, as the 66-year-old spent his birthday being taken into custody for 11 hours by Thames Valley Police. 

This follows the fallout from the release of more than three million documents relating to American financier and child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein by the Department of Justice (DOJ) earlier this year. The release came six weeks after the deadline of US President Donald Trump’s signed mandate of the release of Epstein-related documents to the public under the Transparency Act. The documents exposed images from Little St James and Epstein’s personal interactions with members of the political elite, in which the former prince is mentioned. 

His Majesty had initiated a “formal process to remove the style, titles, and honours” of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor back in October 2025 over his close relationship with Epstein. He had also received sexual assault allegations from one of Epstein’s victims, Virginia Giuffre. The federal lawsuit was later ended in an out-of-court settlement, where Andrew had paid an undisclosed sum to Giuffre and her charity, settling without admission of liability. 

The newly released files have prompted an investigation by British police into concerns that Andrew Mountbatten Windsor had shared confidential trade information with Epstein in 2010, while he was serving as the UK’s trade envoy. As the investigation widens and the British police continue to search his home at the Royal Lodge in Windsor, he is under suspicion of what is known in the UK as misconduct in public office. 

The British Parliament has begun discussions that involve proceedings to remove the former prince from the line of succession altogether. Although he had given up his royal titles, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor remains eighth in line to the throne. However, his removal would be a lengthy process that can only be initiated after the full investigation has concluded. Furthermore, it would need the approval from all 14 Commonwealth realms to be enforced. So far, the Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has affirmed his full support for any UK government proceeding to remove him from the line of succession.

King Charles had made a public statement later that day, the day of his brother’s arrest, stating that what now follows is the “full, fair and proper process” of official investigations, and they have the Royal Family’s full cooperation. 

Support for his removal has also been backed by members of the UK public. According to a YouGov poll, 82% of Britons supported the removal of ex-Prince Andrew from the royal line of succession. Family of the late Virginia Giuffre, who died by suicide in April 2025, spoke to 10 News following his arrest, feeling vindicated and calling it a victory for both Virginia and all survivors. 

The arrest of the former Prince has since sparked discussions among the global public, which has commended Europe and the UK for holding the powerful and privileged accountable. This includes the criminal investigation and resignation of Peter Mandelson from the House of Lords, as well as the charging of former Norwegian Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland for “gross corruption”. The measures taken by the court against disgraced elites mentioned explicitly in the files in the United States, on the other hand, have significantly paled in comparison.