Prince Andrew was arrested on Feb. 19, 2026, on suspicion of misconduct in public office, marking the first such arrest of a senior British royal in modern history.

Prince Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on February 19, 2026, marking the first time a senior British royal has faced such an arrest in modern history. The incident drew renewed attention to past legal issues involving members of the royal family, including Princess Anne’s 2002 conviction for a dog attack and multiple speeding fines, and her daughter Zara Tindall’s driving ban. Historically, royal arrests were typically political, involving treason or rival claims to the throne, as seen with figures like Charles I, Anne Boleyn, and Mary Queen of Scots, who were imprisoned or executed without modern legal protections.