'Heads Must Roll' If Royal Family Was Aware of Ex-Prince Andrew's Misconduct, Says Historian (Exclusive)
'Heads Must Roll' If Royal Family Was Aware of Ex-Prince Andrew's Misconduct, Says Historian (Exclusive)
Simon Perry, Janine HenniThu, February 19, 2026 at 8:25 PM UTC
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Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Andrew on the balcony of Buckingham Palace at Trooping the Colour on June 8, 2019
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty
The British royals will be under pressure if it emerges that any family members knew about ex-Prince Andrew's wrongdoings before his arrest, royal author Robert Jobson says
The former Duke of York was arrested on Feb. 19 and released the same day
"If it comes out that people knew stuff — whether it be members of the family or police or staffers — then heads must roll," Jobson says
Members of the British royal family will be under heat if authorities learn that they were aware of the former Prince Andrew's wrongdoings before his arrest, a historian says.
King Charles' younger brother was arrested in Sandringham on Feb. 19 on suspicion of misconduct in public office, and royal author Robert Jobson warns that there will be consequences if his family members were aware of his conduct before he was detained.
"When these things went on, he was Prince Andrew, Duke of York. He was right at the heart of the royal family and appointed by the late Queen [Elizabeth] and the government. It is one thing kicking him out now and saying he is a bad apple, but they didn’t have due diligence in place. The problem will be — who knew what and when and why was nothing done?" Jobson exclusively tells PEOPLE.
"If it comes out that people knew stuff — whether it be members of the family or police or staffers — then heads must roll," adds the historian and author of The Windsor Legacy.
Members of the royal family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace at Trooping the Colour on June 9, 2018.
Chris Jackson/Getty
Andrew was arrested at the home where he is currently staying on the Sandringham estate on Feb. 19, his 66th birthday. Police are investigating the former Duke of York over an allegation that he shared confidential information with the late Jeffrey Epstein while acting as a trade envoy for the U.K., a position he held from 2001 to 2011.
Andrew's relationship with Epstein set his step back from public life in motion in November 2019, and he has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to the late financier, who died in prison while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges that August.
The former Duke of York, now called Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was seen for the first time since his arrest later in the day on Thursday. He was photographed in the backseat of a vehicle and left Aylsham Police Station in Norfolk after spending about 11 hours in custody.
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Earlier on Thursday, the King, 77, released a statement vowing that the palace would cooperate with police in the investigation. PEOPLE understands that Buckingham Palace was not informed of Andrew’s arrest before it happened.
Jobson notes that King Charles isn't responsible for his brother's wrongdoings, but the author argues that the moment must serve as a wake-up call for the monarchy to move forward.
"Charles is not guilty of anything here. But the monarchy needs to change. They can’t hide behind the Official Secrets Act and the lack of Freedom of Information," Jobson tells PEOPLE.
"They have to be as accountable and transparent as a government department. All these whispers here or there, they have to be much firmer in the way they approach things. The lack of accountability and the lack of transparency has led to complacency which has led to this problem. They have to be clearer and more transparent.”
(Left) A man departs an unmarked car at the home of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on Feb. 19, 2026 in Sandringham, Norfolk; (Right) Prince Andrew leaves the Easter Mattins service at St. George's Chpael at Windsor Castle on April 20, 2025.
KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH/POOL/AFP via Getty; Peter Nicholls/Getty
After retiring from the Royal Navy in 2001, Andrew took on a role as trade envoy for the U.K. Trade envoys promote British business interests abroad, and the post comes with an obligation of confidentiality, even after one's term of office ends.
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On Feb. 9, the BBC reported that authorities were investigating a claim that Andrew shared confidential documents with Epstein when he was in the position. He was arrested 10 days later.
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