On February 20, 2026, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was released from police custody after being arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office for allegedly sharing confidential government documents with Jeffrey Epstein. This unprecedented arrest, which occurred on Andrew's 66th birthday, marks the first time in nearly four centuries that a senior British royal has been detained, indicating a significant erosion of deference towards the monarchy in the UK. Following his release, police continued their investigation, searching his properties, including the Royal Lodge and his former home at Sandringham. King Charles III stated, 'the law must take its course,' reflecting the royal family's support for the ongoing investigation (BBC News, The Guardian). As the investigation unfolds, the UK government is considering new legislation to remove Andrew from the line of succession, as he remains eighth in line to the throne. A UK official indicated that any changes would require consultation with other Commonwealth nations (South China Morning Post, BBC News). Additionally, police are questioning Andrew's former protection officers about any relevant information regarding his ties to Epstein, as they continue to search his residences (The Guardian, BBC News). This incident represents a pivotal moment for the royal family, as it faces the gravest threat to its moral authority in over a generation, with implications for its future (New York Times, South China Morning Post).