Global Ripples from Epstein Files

In a dramatic escalation of the long-simmering Jeffrey Epstein scandal, former British Prince Andrew—now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor—was arrested on February 19, 2026, his 66th birthday, on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Thames Valley Police confirmed the arrest, citing allegations that he shared confidential UK trade reports with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during his tenure as Britain's international trade envoy in 2010. Searches were conducted at properties in Berkshire and Norfolk, including his former Royal Lodge home and his current residence on the Sandringham Estate. This marks a rare instance of a high-profile royal facing criminal charges, drawing parallels to Princess Anne's 2002 conviction under the Dangerous Dogs Act, though far graver in scope.

The arrest stems from the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) massive release of over 6 million pages of Epstein-related documents, 180,000 images, and 2,000 videos in late January and early February 2026, under the Epstein Files Transparency Act signed by President Donald Trump in 2025. These files, which include FBI reports, emails, and photos, have reignited global scrutiny of Epstein's network of influential associates. Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges, exploited his wealth to forge ties with elites in business, politics, and royalty. His accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, is serving a 20-year sentence for related crimes.

Andrew's case highlights the uneven pace of accountability worldwide. In the UK, police forces have formed a national coordination group to assess Epstein allegations, including potential sex trafficking via his private jet and the sharing of sensitive information. This follows Andrew's 2025 stripping of his royal title amid ongoing accusations of sexual assault—which he denies—and his regret over the Epstein friendship. On X (formerly Twitter), reactions were swift, with users like

@EricLDaugh calling it a "house of cards crashing down" and demanding arrests for all Epstein-linked criminals.

Beyond the UK, the files have triggered probes and fallout across Europe. Paris prosecutors opened two investigations on February 18,—one into sex abuse and another into financial wrongdoing—urging victims to come forward. In Norway, former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland faces "gross corruption" charges after the Council of Europe lifted his diplomatic immunity, linked to Epstein associations. Britain's former U.S. ambassador Peter Mandelson resigned from the Labour Party and is under police probe for misconduct. Other Europeans named include former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Slovak diplomat Miroslav Lajčák, though neither faces charges.

While investigations have proliferated—leading to resignations like a top Goldman Sachs lawyer and Dubai's CEO—the number of actual arrests tied to the 2026 releases remains low: zero directly reported globally as of February 19. In the U.S., no new charges have emerged despite mentions of figures like Trump, Bill Clinton, Elon Musk, and Steve Bannon, none of whom are accused of wrongdoing in the files. A Reuters/Ipsos poll shows 68% of Americans believe the files expose how the elite evade accountability.