Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, Duke of York, was arrested on Thursday, Feb. 19, his 66th birthday, for suspicion of misconduct in public life. Hours later, he was released from police custody.
The former prince allegedly leaked confidential information to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to previousUSA TODAY reporting. Mountbatten-Windsor has denied any wrongdoing.
King Charles III is the older brother of Mountbatten-Windsor and in response to the arrest, issued a statement via Buckingham Palace signaling support for a "full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities."
"Let me state clearly: the law must take its course," the king added. "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."
Still, some might wonder if the king could pardon his brother, former Prince Andrew. The short answer: it's very unlikely. Here's what to know.
Live updates:Former Prince Andrew seen in first photo since release after arrest
Police officers, unmarked vehicles and media were seen at residences linked to disgraced former royal Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on Feb. 19, 2026. Windsor was reportedly arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on the Sandringham estate. In a statement, Thames Valley police said they were also "carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk" as part of the investigation. See the scene outside various residences, beginning here near the entrance to Wood Farm in Sandringham, Norfolk." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
The media gather to report near the home of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on Feb. 19, 2026, in Sandringham, Norfolk." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Unmarked police vehicles enter the gates of the Royal Lodge, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's former residence in Windsor Great Park, on Feb. 19, 2026, in Windsor, England." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
In this photo illustration, a statement from His Majesty King Charles III via communications at Buckingham Palace pledges his "full and wholehearted support and co-operation" to the "appropriate authorities" in response to the arrest of his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Unmarked vehicles exit the gates of the Royal Lodge, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's former residence in Windsor Great Park, Feb. 19, 2026, in Windsor, England. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
A person steps out of unmarked car at the home of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on Feb. 19, 2026, in Sandringham, Norfolk." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Unmarked police vehicles exit the gates of the Royal Lodge, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's former residence in Windsor Great Park, Feb. 19, 2026, in Windsor, England." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Unmarked vehicles exit the gates of the Royal Lodge, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's former residence in Windsor Great Park, Feb. 19, 2026, in Windsor, England. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Police investigate homes tied to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor amid his arrest
Police officers, unmarked vehicles and media were seen at residences linked todisgraced former royal Andrew Mountbatten-Windsoron Feb. 19, 2026. Windsor wasreportedly arrestedon suspicion of misconduct in public office on the Sandringham estate. In a statement, Thames Valley police said they were also "carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk" as part of the investigation. See the scene outside various residences, beginning here near the entrance to Wood Farm in Sandringham, Norfolk.
Who is Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor?Ex-prince tied to Epstein scandal
Can King Charles pardon ex-Prince Andrew?
King Charles holds the "royal prerogative of mercy," a power granted to the ruling British monarch that allows them to issue pardons for persons convicted of criminal offenses, according to theUK government.
If Mountbatten-Windsor is convicted of a crime, it's technically not impossible for him to receive a pardon from his brother, King Charles. However, issuing clemency would require approval from governing bodies.
The king has no direct power to ask for a pardon, Robert Hazell, director of the Constitution Unit at University College London, said in emailed comments to USA TODAY.
"King Charles has no discretion independently to exercise the prerogative of mercy: He can only do so on the advice of the government," said Hazell.
Expert: An Andrew pardon could cause 'riot in the streets'
Another reason a pardon is unlikely is because the British public would likely not approve and the king could face backlash.
When the then-prince was stripped of his royal titles in 2025 over his ties with Epstein, it came with the overwhelming support from Brits. He'd previously been removed as a senior royal in 2022.
According to a 2025Ipsos poll, 88% of Britons thought it was definitely or probably the right decision. Additionally, eight in 10 Britons had an unfavorable opinion of the prince at that time.
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"I don't think (Charles) is going to give him a pardon," Andrew Lownie, author of 'Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York,' told USA TODAY.
"I think there would be a sort of riot in the streets if that happened, and that really would kill the monarchy."
Cases of previous royal pardons
Royal pardons are rarely used and typically only issued when a person is innocent of the offense and when a request has been made by someone with a vested interest, such as a family member, according to the United Kingdom'sgovernment website. Pardons can be issued without either requirement being met, as was the case with Alan Turing.
Turing, considered the father of computer science, was given a posthumous royal pardon by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2013. He was convicted in 1952 for "gross indecency" after being arrested following an affair with a 19-year-old man, which is no longer a crime in the United Kingdom.
After his conviction, Turing was chemically castrated.
The most recent high-profile recipient of a royal pardon was Steve Gallant, 47. The convicted murderer was on a day release from prison to attend a conference for rehabilitated prisoners when he confronted a terrorist attacker with a narwhal tusk on London Bridge. Two people died in the tragedy. Gallant's sentence began in 2005. He was released from prison in 2021. The queen reduced his sentence by 10 months.
Allegations against Prince Andrew, Epstein ties
Since last autumn, Mountbatten-Windsor has appeared in several pages and images released by the U.S. government in relation to Epstein. The latest cache of documents included a photo of the former prince kneeling on all fours over an unidentified woman lying on the ground.
The former prince came under intense scrutiny over his ties with the disgraced financier following a BBC interview in 2019. In the interview, he said he met Epstein in 1991 through his partner Ghislaine Maxwell, but denied ever coming into contact with the late Virginia Giuffre.
One of the Epstein victims, Giuffre, said she was 17 years old when she was allegedly trafficked by Epstein and forced to have sexual relations with the then-prince. The encounters took place between 2001 and 2002, she said.
The former prince gave the remarks despite the existence of a photograph with him and Giuffre in Maxwell's London home in 2001.
Mountbatten-Windsor raised issues with the photograph's authenticity, saying it might not be him in the picture because he was wearing his "traveling clothes" and suggested his left hand may have been photoshopped onto Giuffre's waist.
Giuffre filed a sex abuse lawsuit against Mountbatten-Windsor in 2021. The former prince settled the suit the following year but continued to deny the allegations against him.
Contributing: Kim Hjelmgaard, Wendy Naugle
Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at mdelrey@usatoday.com
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Could King Charles III pardon his brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor?
