King Charles' younger brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was released from police custody on Thursday (February 19) evening after being arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office over allegations he sent confidential government documents to Jeffrey Epstein.

In response to Mountbatten-Windsor's earlier arrest, U.S. President Donald Trump said it was a "shame."

"I think it's very sad. I think it's so bad for the royal family," Trump told reporters. "It's very, very sad to me... to see what's going on with his (King Charles') brother."

Mountbatten-Windsor, who turned 66 on Thursday, had been questioned all day by detectives from Thames Valley Police. Earlier this month, the police force said it was looking into allegations that he had passed documents to the late convicted sex offender while working as a trade envoy.

The arrest of the senior royal, eighth in line to the throne, is unprecedented in modern times.

Although Buckingham Palace was not informed in advance about the arrest, Charles said the authorities had the family's "full and wholehearted support and cooperation."

"Let me state clearly: the law must take its course," the monarch said in his statement.

"Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all."

The king visited a fashion show in London on Thursday, making no further public comment.

Mountbatten-Windsor, the second son of the late Queen Elizabeth, has always denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein, and said he regrets their friendship.

His office did not respond to a request for comment and he has not spoken publicly since the release of more than 3 million pages of documents by the U.S. government relating to Epstein, who was convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor in 2008.

Those files suggested Mountbatten-Windsor had in 2010 forwarded to Epstein reports about Vietnam, Singapore and other places he had visited on official trips as the government's Special Representative for Trade and Investment.

He was forced to step down from that role in 2011 after his close links to Epstein first emerged.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

IN AIR (FEBRUARY 19, 2026)(U.S. NETWORK POOL - No use USA)

1. U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SPEAKING TO MEDIA ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE

2. WHITE FLASH

3. (SOUNDBITE)(English) U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, SAYING:

REPORTER OFF-CAMERA ASKING: “I got a question about something big overseas today they got Prince Andrew arrested by the police there related to something with Jeffrey Epstein. Do you think people in this country, at some point, associates of Jeffrey Epstein, will wind up in handcuffs too?”

TRUMP: “Well, you know, I'm the expert in a way, because I've been totally exonerated. It's very nice. I can actually speak about it very nicely. I think it's a shame. I think it's very sad, I think it’s so bad for the royal family. It's very, very sad, to me, it's a very sad thing, when I see that, it's very sad to see it and to see what's going on with his brother, who's obviously coming to our country very soon. And he's a fantastic man, King. So, I think it's a very sad thing. And it's really interesting because nobody used to speak about Epstein when he was alive, and now they speak. But I'm the one that can talk about it because I've been totally exonerated. I did nothing. In fact, the opposite. He was against me. He was fighting me in the election, which I just found out with the last three million pages of documents.”

4. WHITE FLASH

5. TRUMP SPEAKING (NOT A SOUNDBITE)