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Isa Soares Tonight
Sources: U.S. Prepared to Strike Iran; Former Prince Andrew Leaves U.K. Police Station After Arrest; Scandal Derails Prominent Careers in Business World. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, King Charles III's Brother is Arrested By Police Over Suspicion of Misconduct; President Donald Trump Holds His First Board of Peace Meeting; President Trump Suggests He'll Make a Decision Whether to Attack Iran Within the Next 10 Days as Washington and Tehran Prepare for a Possible War. Aired 2:00-3p ET
Aired February 19, 2026 - 14:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[14:00:00]
ISA SOARES, HOST, ISA SOARES TONIGHT: A very warm welcome to the show, everyone, I'm Isa Soares. Tonight, a bombshell moment in British history as
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the king's brother is arrested by police over suspicion of misconduct.
What we know about the investigation and how the royal family is responding. We'll bring you the very latest this hour. Then U.S. President
Donald Trump holds his first Board of Peace meeting, and says part of its mission will be, quote, "looking over the U.N. and making sure it runs
properly."
Plus, President Trump suggests he'll make a decision whether to attack Iran within the next 10 days as Washington and Tehran prepare for a possible
war. I'll ask a former ambassador to Iran about how he thinks the standoff will unfold. We do begin tonight with an unprecedented moment for the
British royal family in the modern era.
King Charles' brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is right now in police custody following his arrest in the past few hours. It is on suspicion of
misconduct in public office. Though police have not said what specifically led to that arrest.
But Mountbatten-Windsor spent a decade as a U.K. trade envoy. The arrest follows the U.S. government's release of Epstein documents detailing the
former prince's ties to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Officers were pictured arriving, you can see there, at Mountbatten-Windsor's home at
Sandringham.
A royal source says Buckingham Palace was not informed in advance about the arrest. Mountbatten-Windsor has denied any wrongdoing over his ties to
Epstein. King Charles, meanwhile, is continuing with his public duties, seen here at an event for London Fashion Week.
He didn't answer questions from reporters, but in an earlier statement, he did express his deepest concern, and said the law must take its course. I
do want to begin our coverage with our Nada Bashir who is with me here in the studio. So, Nada, I mean, this is a seismic moment, really is, for the
royal family.
Can we just start first of all, how this all unfolded? Because this is of course -- it was his birthday this morning, and the only reason we knew
what was happening, because reporters were out there to see who was going to visit him on his birthday, instead they saw quite a line of police.
NADA BASHIR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, and this was a series of unmarked police vehicles arriving at the property early this morning, it's
understood around 8:00 a.m. local time that, that arrest actually took place. And it's understood that police carried out this arrest they say in
their statement, as a result of what they believe is misconduct while in public office.
Now, what we know to have taken place since then is Andrew Mountbatten- Windsor has been taken custody on suspicion of misconduct while in public office for questioning to take place. That could take 24 hours. It could
take up to 96 hours if police file for an extension for their questioning if they deem it to be serious enough.
But they are carrying out their investigation. We've also seen police, uniformed police officials at his former residence at the royal lodge in
Windsor. So, he lived there for 20 years and it's understood that they are searching that property as well as his home in Norfolk and the king's
Sandringham estate.
And of course, they'll be looking at all sorts of evidence records that they now have access to as a result of his arrest, to try to piece together
more information as part of this investigation.
SOARES: And from what we understand, he's still being questioned, right? He hasn't been released as of yet.
BASHIR: As of yet, police have not given any update --
SOARES: Yes --
BASHIR: The last we've heard is that he is still in custody.
SOARES: When we talk about misconduct in public office, when we were talking it there, that was about his role, of course, as a U.K. trade
envoy, which he held for over a decade. What does that actually mean?
[14:05:00]
BASHIR: So, we're talking about essentially a failure by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to uphold the privileges of public office in his own
interest rather than in the public's interest, essentially. And this, of course, is very much centered around his time as U.K. trade envoy between
2001 and 2011.
But of course, the timing of this is key. This arrest has taken place shortly after new documents were released by the U.S. Justice Department
around the Epstein case. And essentially, in one of these documents, it is believed that it shows -- it shows Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor essentially
giving privileged, sensitive government information to Jeffrey Epstein regarding investments.
So, it is understood at this stage that is what the focus of the investigation is on, of course, this could be a far broader investigation
as they continue to gather more evidence. And of course, this will be inevitably interlinked with the broader Epstein --
SOARES: Yes --
BASHIR: Scandal and the fallout of that. But it's unclear at this stage what exactly led to this decision by police despite previous investigations
to carry out this arrest? What we do know, we've heard today from the former Prime Minister, Gordon Brown --
SOARES: Yes --
BASHIR: He said he has submitted a five page memorandum to relevant police forces with information he believes pertains to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor,
again, it's not clear whether it's in relation to this specific case. But of course, the timing is very interesting --
SOARES: Yes, misconduct, such a broad, isn't it? It's so broad, it'd be interesting how exactly what is needed to prove that that actually
occurred. Nada, I know you'll stay across it, thank you very much indeed. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest means police can now search his homes
as well as electronic devices as Nada was saying, this was the scene outside his residence at Sandringham where uniformed police officers were
on duty.
As you can see, officers were also seen patrolling the gates of royal lodge, Andrew's former residence, and that is in Windsor. In a statement,
the Thames Valley Police said "as part of the investigation, we have today arrested a man in his 60s from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public
office.
And we are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk. The man remains in police custody at the time", which is what we understand is
still happening. Let's get more really on this unprecedented nature of this arrest. Graham Wettone is a retired London Metropolitan police officer and
the author of the book, "How to Be a Police Officer".
Graham, great to have you on the show. From what we understand, he's still being held in custody. Just speak to our viewers around the world to the
procedural element. Is a photo taken? Are fingerprints taken? Would he be in handcuffs? Start with that.
GRAHAM WETTONE, RETIRED LONDON METROPOLITAN POLICE OFFICER: Yes, I'm not sure whether he's been put in handcuffs. It's available to the officers who
arrested him, but they do that on a risk assessment basis. So, they feel that they've got to handcuff him while they transport him from the address
he's been arrested at back to the police station.
It's also possible when he's booked in, that fingerprints and photograph might be taken. It's not -- it's not a matter of course, because normally -
- and when I was a custody officer, we only did that process as they were about to be charged with an offense. And clearly, he's not at that stage
yet.
But nowadays, they do sometimes take fingerprint and photographs when they are booking them in and they are held -- they are also held on file to see
if a charge does result from it or they're destroyed. So, possibly, but it's not definitive yet whether that's been done.
SOARES: And I'm guessing, Andrew, that he would be treated or one would expect and hope would be treated like anyone else. I wonder whether you
know, whether you think he would be put in a cell. Just speak to the conditions, and also what -- how long he may be there, how long he'll be
questioned for.
WETTONE: Police have got 24 hours initially to hold somebody --
SOARES: Yes --
WETTONE: On arrest, so he'd be brought into the new police station, booked in exactly as normal as every detainee they've got in front of what's
called a custody officer in the U.K., it's a role I performed. The custody officer, reason basically, reason their legal rights. They're entitled to a
solicitor.
They're entitled to have someone informed of their arrest, and they'll be detained at the police station and explain the reasons why they're being
detained. And then he's placed -- he's basically searched. So, property is taken off him, mobile phones, keys, money, et cetera, they are left in the
clothes they are standing in, belts, ties, shoelaces are all removed.
And then he'll be placed in the cell in his own clothes. He'll stay in the cell until it's time to be interviewed, or until his legal representative
turns up to have a consultation with him. That's done in private. Once the investigating officers are ready to interview, he's taken out the cell,
goes into the interview room, and then he'll be interviewed.
And that will be video recorded. The reason he's been arrested and probably why he's been arrested is so the interviewing officers, the investigating
officers, had the ability then to interview him maybe more than once during the period they have him in custody for.
There is a process in the U.K. where you can do like a voluntary attendance at a police station, where you're interviewed again under caution, but you
are told at that point, you are not under arrest and you are essentially free to leave.
So, my assessment would be, this investigation obviously feels they had to arrest him to make sure they could keep him at the police station while
they conduct either one or maybe two or more interviews during the day.
[14:10:00]
SOARES: Right, and while that has been ongoing and maybe ongoing, Graham, you know, we know that police officers -- our correspondent was just saying
this, I'm guessing would have been searching I would assume, his properties both in Norfolk and in Berkshire. What would they be looking for here when
it comes to this misconduct that they're potentially looking at?
WETTONE: Any evidence that relates to that, that potential offense of misconduct in public office is an offense, it's called indictable offense.
It can only be heard at a crown court in front of a jury. It's a fairly serious offense. It's not under U.K. legislation, it's decades old.
It comes -- it came from the 13th century. So, it's what's called common law. It's the earnestly offense of being basically set over the years in
court appearances, it was largely unheard of for decades, and came back into use in the 21st century when public officials were committing
misconduct, which is why we heard about it more recently.
They've been investigating that, looking for offenses relating to any potential misconduct in public office. So, documents, e-mails, electronic
messages, those sort of materials which obviously can these days can be held on like flash drives and USBs.
So, it would be a very slow and methodical search of the property. The officers would have stayed there while he was taken to the police station.
And there would be a number of officers, some people have questioned why it took like eight officers to arrest him.
That isn't the number of officers to arrest the individual that the officer will remain on the property and on the premises to make sure they search
each room very slowly. There's an exhibits officer who documents any exhibits that are then seized. There is somebody to fill out a full
documentation, a record of what's been taken, and then you have a couple of officers, literally working their way around each room very slowly, and
they take their time to look for any evidence.
SOARES: Slowly, methodically, putting everything, of course -- putting everything in bags, I'm guessing hard drive, phones, any notes. With the --
WETTONE: Yes --
SOARES: Misconduct, Graham, I wonder whether you know this, it's quite broad. I mean, how hard is it to prove?
WETTONE: The actual -- the elements of the offense as I've said, have been set basically in court appearances, because it's not like part of the
legislation. It hasn't been debated in parliament, hasn't --
SOARES: Yes --
WETTONE: Been before the House of Lords, hasn't been passed as a -- as an act as such against U.K. law. You have to hold a public office to be a
public official --
SOARES: Yes --
WETTONE: And then it's willfully misconduct yourself or willfully neglect your duty, and that then abuses the public trust in you in that role. And
that has to be done without reasonable excuse or without reasonable justification. So, set elements that have been set over various court
appearances for other individuals who have committed this offense.
So, the court effectively has set the points to prove for it for misconduct in public office. It is -- it's an unusual type of offense because it can
be quite difficult to prove that once you --
SOARES: Yes --
WETTONE: Get to court, but it's that willful, that intent to misconduct yourself, and it's just what the level that misconduct is.
SOARES: Just briefly, just as we just wrap up here, Graham, as we wait, I wonder the options for what would come next, I'm guessing, charge, bail or
release under investigation, but I'm guessing that would depend on the level of evidence, right?
WETTONE: Absolutely, depends what's been found at the premises. If there's any more evidence that's been found, I would -- I would imagine it's likely
to be released under investigation where you just literally released back to your home address with no conditions whatsoever.
Police bail can have some conditions applied to it. I'll be very surprised we reached the threshold of charging today, because that has to go before
the Crown Prosecution Service.
SOARES: Graham, really appreciate you laying it all out for us, it makes a lot of sense, thank you very much indeed. Now, the arrest of Andrew
Mountbatten-Windsor is an extraordinary hit for the reputation of the British monarchy. Really responding to his brother's arrest, King Charles
said in a statement, and I'm quoting here, "I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of
misconduct in public office.
What now follows is the full fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities.
In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and cooperation. Let me state clearly, the law must take its course."
CNN also understands that the Prince and Princess of Wales support the king's statement. CNN's Max Foster, our royal correspondent has been
following the latest for us from Buckingham Palace. And Max, I understand - - and correct me if I'm wrong that the royal family weren't given the heads up before police kind of showed up at Andrew's property, but I imagine this
would have been a seismic event for them.
MAX FOSTER, CNN ROYAL CORRESPONDENT: You can imagine, can't you, at this scandal, I think you can describe --
SOARES: Right --
FOSTER: Up until now, has overshadowed much of what the monarchy has been doing in recent months and indeed years. And now it's just going to
continue at a much more serious level, waiting to hear really on whether Andrew has been released or not, whether he's been charged or not.
[14:15:00]
They could keep him well into next week, but I think that's pretty unlikely, more likely is that he's been bailed to appear based on what he
said.
The investigations will continue, but nevertheless, the -- it's interesting hearing the king very quickly put out a statement in his own name, not
through the palace, throwing full support behind the police investigation, naming his brother as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, trying to create as much
separation as possible between him, the monarchy and indeed, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. So this is a, you know --
SOARES: I think -- I think we seem to have --
FOSTER: When we talk about the -- yes, sorry --
SOARES: Sorry, we lost you for all of like three seconds, so go ahead, Max.
FOSTER: You've got to understand the complexities of what we've got here. It is not just a family. It is a family where the king is the boss. It's
also a family which sits on top of the entire British establishment. So, any public body is represented by the king. The king represents the state.
The king represents the police.
And when you extend it to that level, you start considering actually, this arrest was made in the name of the king, and any future trial would be, you
know, Andrew versus the crown. So, for the king to have any -- to be seen to be interfering with this case in any way, could be very damaging to the
monarchy.
Which is why I don't think we're going to be able to hear much more from the king. This was interesting. These images today of the king going to
London Fashion Week because the message here is, of course, it would have been difficult for him.
But if you're going to protect the monarchy, the monarchy needs to carry on. You've got to keep calm and carry on, continue the work of the monarchy
and hope this shadow at some point clears. It's a huge challenge for him to try to protect the monarchy when he can't actually go about its work. So,
an extraordinary moment for the monarchy --
SOARES: Yes --
FOSTER: This hasn't happened in hundreds of years.
SOARES: And like you said, Max, this is probably, potentially the beginning of a very uncomfortable story, right? Not just challenging for
them how they -- when they try to go about their duties. But I imagine the British press here and the public here will be asking how much the late
queen know, how much did the royal family know, and whether they were protecting them.
FOSTER: Yes, have spoken to some people, you know, much closer to the palace system than myself today. Talking about the queen's role here. So,
certainly, the king came into the throne being much more forthright about this issue, stripping Andrew of his titles, for example, evicting him.
The queen didn't do as much, but you know, what could she have known if e- mails were forwarded through his account? And certainly, she did strip Andrew of his HRH title, which doesn't sound like much, but it's, you know,
the Mr. or Mrs. that you and I live by, Isa.
You know, it was seen as a big impact. So, she did do what many people within the palace system feel -- feels was enough, but with hindsight,
knowing what we know now, it certainly wasn't enough. Certainly, when that "BBC" interview completely unraveled, and, you know all of the lies, if I
can call them, were exposed, then perhaps, the queen should have done more.
But you know, this is the complexity of running a show where your children are as much a part of a show as you are. But certainly, the king is trying
to be on the front foot as much as possible on this. And putting the monarchy first and not Andrew, that's for sure.
SOARES: Max, thank you very much, and Max will be back with us in about 30 minutes or so. Thank you, Max. Well, just ahead, billion dollar promises
for Gaza and a pledge to look over the United Nations. Donald Trump's vision as he convenes his Board of Peace, for the first time, we'll have
that.
Also President Trump hints at a new timetable for his next move on Iran, we'll have that story after this short break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:20:00]
SOARES: Well, U.S. President Donald Trump's Board of Peace convened today for the first time in Washington. In his opening remarks to world leaders,
Mr. Trump said the Board of Peace will be looking over the United Nations. However, he did not suggest the United Nations would be eliminated.
Instead, the board will ensure the U.N. is financially strengthened in years to come. The President also said the U.S. will contribute $10 billion
for the board to resolve global conflicts. He then turned to the original reason for the Board of Peace if you remember, that's the future of Gaza.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The war in Gaza is over. It's over. There are little flames, little flames. Hamas has been -- I
think they're going to give up their weapons, which is what they promised. If they don't, it will be -- you know, they'll be harshly met, very harshly
met. They don't want that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Let's get more on this. Our Jeremy Diamond joins me now. So, Jeremy, we just told our viewers there, you know, is a substantial
financial commitment that we heard not just from many of those countries who were part of that Board of Peace, but also from the United States, but
clearly not enough to reconstruct Gaza, which I believe the U.N. estimates that $70 billion will be needed. So, what exactly came out of this meeting?
JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT: Yes, well, 10 percent of that amount was committed by a series of these countries that have now joined
the Board of Peace, $7 billion altogether. In addition to that, the United States is going to provide $10 billion for the Board of Peace, although
it's not clear that all of that is going to be earmarked specifically for Gaza's reconstruction.
The President also talked about a fundraiser that the United Nations is working on to raise an additional $2 billion. The bottom line is that it is
not the entirety of the amount that it will take to rebuild Gaza. We've heard in the past these Board of Peace officials like Jared Kushner,
talking about private sector investments as well.
But the reality is that the rest of the funding, whether coming from governments or from the private sector, is only going to be able to
materialize if the Trump administration and this new Board of Peace can actually demonstrate that their plan in Gaza is viable, and that it's not
going to be undercut by a return to war.
And amid all of the details that we heard today, and there were some additional details in terms of the numbers of troops that would be
committed, the numbers of police officers that the Palestinians are trying to establish as a new Palestinian police force inside of Gaza, all of it
ultimately hinges on Hamas disarming, Israel accepting the terms of that disarmament, and Israel not returning to war in Gaza.
Which is very much hanging over the next steps of this Gaza ceasefire agreement as Nickolay Mladenov; the new high representative for Gaza, seeks
to put this all into action over the course of the next couple of months.
SOARES: And Jeremy, what did we hear about the stabilization force, and was there any more details provided, and was a timeline given here?
DIAMOND: No specific timeline, but --
SOARES: Yes --
DIAMOND: We did get a little bit more meat on the bones. The General, the U.S. General who is going to be overseeing this International Stabilization
Force, talked about ultimately a goal of having 12,000 police officers, 20,000 ISF soldiers, that it will be a phased deployment starting in the
southern part of the Gaza Strip and then eventually moving north.
[14:25:00]
We heard that Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo and Albania will provide troops to this effort, although we don't know exactly how many.
Indonesia seems to be the first and most willing partner, talking about being able to provide a 1,000 troops within a matter of weeks really, to
deploy to Gaza.
But none of this is going to happen until there's actually a plan to disarm Hamas because of the concerns and the reality that these countries don't
want to get into armed conflict with Hamas. They want to go in as peacekeepers, as creating kind of order and stability inside of Gaza.
So, there's still a lot hinging on this actually becoming a reality on the ground. And the Israelis have made very clear that their patience is
limited. The Israeli Prime Minister today, talking about the fact that Hamas will -- that they're sorry, that there won't be any reconstruction in
Gaza until Hamas is demilitarized.
The President himself said he thinks Hamas is going to disarm, but he once again warned as well that they will be met, quote, "very harshly if they
don't".
SOARES: Jeremy, thank you very much, live for us in Jerusalem. And meanwhile, during that Board of Peace meeting that Jeremy was talking
about, the U.S. President suggested he'll decide whether to attack Iran within -- he said the next ten days. Sources tell CNN that while the
President hasn't made a final decision yet, the U.S. military is prepared to strike Iran as early as this weekend.
And it comes as the world's largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, is now en route to the Middle East and expected to arrive in the
coming days. In Iran, new satellite images you can see there, appear to show the country is repairing and fortifying several of its nuclear
facilities, using concrete and large amounts of soil.
Joining us now is Ambassador Rob Macaire that served as British ambassador to Iran from 2018 to 2021, is now a Nonresident Fellow at the Atlantic
Council. Ambassador, great to have you on the show, President Trump then, as he was talking about in that Board of Peace meeting, giving Iran a ten-
day ultimatum.
This is, of course, as you just heard, sources tell us, the U.S. military is prepared to strike. Is -- how real do you think, ambassador, is the
threat of war right now?
ROB MACAIRE, NON-RESIDENT FELLOW, ATLANTIC COUNCIL & FORMER BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO IRAN: Well, clearly, Iran is under a huge amount of pressure
now, as you say, the military pressure from this build up in the region is putting them under very great pressure.
And there's no point having that military build-up by U.S. forces unless you're prepared to use it, I'm sure that President Trump is prepared to use
that American military force against Iran. But I don't think it's his preferred option. I think he would rather get a deal.
I think he is hoping that this amount of pressure on Iran will lead to Iran conceding into a deal that is acceptable to the U.S., and I think that
would get the U.S. off the hook of being really -- having to use military force or back down, which will not happen.
And I think that is -- you know, the chances of a deal, unfortunately very slim. So, I think we are looking at military action being really quite
likely.
SOARES: Yes, and to date, ambassador, what we've seen is diplomacy really taking place in the shadow of war, right? As they were meeting, we're
already seeing an incredible amount of firepower, including the USS Gerald R. Ford making its way to the Caribbean.
Clearly, hardware is a bluff to report, to put pressure on Iran. Do you think, though when Iran looks at this pressure, can it be effective in
negotiations?
MACAIRE: I think, well, Iran will realize this is not a bluff. This is, as you say, a very serious military buildup. And I think Iran would like to
get to a deal that lift sanctions. They would certainly like talks to continue in a way that sees this military pressure diminish over time.
But the Iranian regime is in a very weak position not just externally, but also with internal divisions. And of course, because of the really collapse
of any shred of legitimacy after the demonstrations and the way they put down a couple of months ago or a month ago.
So, I think that difficult for the regime to take decisions, and particularly the supreme leader who is unlikely to change his ways at this
stage. So, the idea that they would make the sort of concessions that the U.S. probably going to be demanding, I think is --
SOARES: Yes --
MACAIRE: Quite unlikely, and I think it may be that President Trump is overestimating the extent to which this military pressure will lead to
effective capitulation by Iran.
SOARES: Let's talk then about what if there was to be a strike, if there was to be an attack, what the U.S. would go -- would go after, ambassador?
Because you write this just for our viewers, a caveat. This is from January 26th -- hitting military targets such as ballistic missile or nuclear
facilities at 12-day war 2.0, would be relevant to the aims of anti-regime elements, targeting IRGC or Basij bases would be more to the point, but
very unlikely to change the balance of power on the streets. And assassinating the Supreme Leader, even if possible, would be no guarantee
of a better outcome. The regime's self-preservation instincts would remain strong. What would you say if the US were to carry this out, what would
they target?
ROB MACAIRE, BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO IRAN FROM 2018 TO 2021 AND FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR TO IRAN: I absolutely don't know what the decision would be and
I think it's very hard to tell from the outside. I'm sure there's some very, very bright target experts in the Pentagon giving the President many
options based on some very, very good intelligence on Iran. But they do have this fundamental choice as to whether to deliver a series of blows
that affect particularly Iran's ballistic missile program, which would be better for the region, safer particularly for Israel than for other
potential targets of those missiles, or to do something so extreme that it really tries to topple the regime.
The difficulty with causing a regime collapse, which ultimately you can probably do with enough military power, is that you also then, you're
likely to create state collapse and a state of chaos which will make things worse both for Iran and for its neighbors. So, I'm not sure that's an
attractive option for the U.S.
SOARES: Yes, incredibly costly on so many levels. Ambassador, really appreciate you coming on the show. Thank you very much indeed.
And we have some breaking news coming into CNN. The former Prince Andrew, who we saw the top story this hour, really the main story, has been seen
leaving the police station after his arrest early today. As you all know, he's been talking about it. He'd been investigated on suspicion of
misconduct in public office. The police have not said what specifically led to the arrest.
Can I just cut confirmation -- is this photo from, can someone tell me, is this latest photo we've got of Prince Andrew -- of Andrew Mountbatten-
Windsor coming? It is. So, just double checking, this is a photo of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor leaving the police station.
I think he'd been there for a little under 12 hours. He has spent a decade as U.K. trade envoy and emails recently released from the Epstein files
appear to show that Andrew sent confidential material to Jeffrey Epstein.
I want to get more with our Royal Historian, Kate Williams. And, Kate, let's start on this breaking news. Been there for, what, we assume a little
less than 12 hours. Hello, by the way, good to see you. And this is the first images we're seeing. We don't know what this means on the legal, in
the legal terms of fact, what came out of those meetings. But what a day it has been for the Royal family.
KATE WILLIAMS, CNN ROYAL HISTORIAN: Unprecedented. And those are pictures of him being driven away from Aylesham police station. So, I believe they
were caught by a photographer who was there. So, we still have no official announcement of what has happened or what hasn't happened. We don't know if
he's been released without charge or a charge is yet to come because, you know, you have to be given a charge within 96 hours, usually within 24.
So, he's not spending the night in police cells. But what has happened, we don't know. I mean, we can certainly say he looks exhausted in those
photos, but this is unprecedented for the royal family. For a royal to be arrested on suspicion of crimes, we are going back to the 17th century, to
Charles I being arrested in the period of the Civil War.
I mean, I'm a royal historian, I study the royals. Many times they get away with all kinds of dodgy affairs. But Andrew has actually been accused of a
crime, taken to police station and, you know, undergone everything that you undergo when you're arrested, fingerprints, photograph. And we do have now
the question of what's going to happen next. Will Andrew be charged? Will he be put on trial? And if he's put on trial and found guilty, then he goes
to prison.
SOARES: And really, he denies to date all the allegations, I think it's important to point out. But just this -- as I was speaking to Max earlier
in the hour, Kate, this is the beginning. This is only the beginning of whatever investigation this is. Can you speak to the reputational damage
potentially here for the royal family?
Because the king put out, his brother put out a very strong statement today, and trying to get on with their daily duties. But can the palace,
can distance himself from this?
WILLIAMS: Well, that's the question, isn't it? Because this is, I would say, the biggest crisis for the royal family. It's in the 20th and 21st
century. It's bigger than the abdication of 1936. It's bigger than the death of Diana in 1997. Both of these were huge moments and the Royal
popularity plunged, but no crime was alleged to have been committed. This is very different. We have a senior royal who's been at the heart of royal
operations.
And also, it's not just about him. You know, the royals have been trying to draw a line in the sand between themselves and Andrew for a very long time.
He stepped back from active duties after the BBC interview. Last year, he was put out from the Royal Lodge. He stepped back from his title, Duke of
York. He's also been deprived of the title of prince.
[14:35:00]
But the royals, I think, were hoping that that would be enough for people to say, well, he's a bad egg. But this is the royal family. As Charles said
in his statement this morning, as you said, a very powerful statement, we will continue with our service. He went on a fashion week engagement today,
London Fashion Week. Camilla was at a concert. People were shouting at them, what about your brother?
SOARES: Yes.
WILLIAMS: And I think that's the question. If Andrew was to go to trial, then as we know, when someone goes to trial, anyone who might know anything
is questioned. So, people might ask Charles. And Andrew's -- if this is about his work as trade envoy, as we believe it is, Andrew's office as
trade envoy was in Buckingham Palace. This raises the possibility that the police could search Buckingham Palace as they've been searching properties
all day long.
SOARES: Yes.
WILLIAMS: So, you know, the royal family have to take swift, decisive action to separate themselves from Andrew because this hasn't worked so
far. And the royal family don't often take swift, decisive action.
SOARES: Look, it's clear that the old adage of, you know, never complain, never explain, doesn't wash anymore, right? And there's huge questions now
for the Royal family and indeed for Andrew Mountbatten-Winslow. Kate, thank you very much.
WILLIAMS: Thank you.
SOARES: We're going to take a short break on this breaking news, and we'll be back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SOARES: If you're just joining us, I'm going to bring you up to date with the breaking news that we've been following the last, what, five minutes or
so. The former Prince Andrew has been seen leaving the police station after his arrest earlier today. That is the photo that was captured as he was
leaving. He's being investigated on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
The police have not said what specifically led to the arrest, but Mountbatten-Winston spent a decade as U.K. trade envoy. Emails recently
released from the Epstein files appear to show that Andrew spent sent confidential immaterial to Jeffrey Epstein.
Let's go to our Max Foster, who's following the latest from Buckingham Palace. And, Max, I'm just looking at the statement that we've got from
police. It says that he's been released, as we've shown. But they said their searches in Norfolk have now concluded, but searches in Berkshire are
still underway.
[14:40:00]
MAX FOSTER, CNN ROYAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes. So, it sounds as though he's been released pending further investigation. So, this isn't the end of it.
But the image you showed was pretty extraordinary. I mean, that's a moment of history, isn't it? And I think it'll go down in the history books to see
Andrew lying down the back of the car, clearly trying to keep away from the cameras and unsuccessfully doing so. And that sort of image of his face, I
mean, his life is, you know, collapsing around him just in terms, you know, away from the investigation.
But just the, you know, the public scrutiny and the fact the police didn't release his name, but, you know, it's pretty clear who they were talking
about. They were trying to protect his privacy. But it's impossible. All that privacy is gone.
Now, the police investigation continues. And they -- you know, the searches are pertinent that you described there, Isa, because now they're going to
be looking into all of his communications and obviously looking to communications with Epstein first. And we're going to get a whole different
perspective on what we've seen in the Epstein files.
Obviously, something that all of Epstein's, the survivors of Epstein have been pushing for all along, although this is an entirely different
investigation into his role in public office. And theirs is much more, you know, about sexual abuse. The survivors really want accountability of
powerful men abusing the system. And they see it all as one big story. And this is where we're going to get a fuller picture. I think we'll start
getting a fuller picture of one person, only one person associated with Epstein.
SOARES: Thank you very much. Stay with us. Let me go to Richard Quest, because despite the sordid allegations involving Andrew, the key issue that
led to this arrest today appears to be, as Max was saying, his conduct while serving as U.K. trade envoy. To understand more about this, I want to
bring in our Richard Quest.
And Richard, I just want to play a little video. And it's very short. It's just come into us of Andrew Mountbatten, Windsor, leaving the police
station. Can we just play that? I'm going to get my producer to play and we can talk off the back of it. Have we got it? Can we play it? Can someone
tell me if we got it? We don't have it. We'll try and get it.
But this is the image, Richard. I'm not sure if you can see it. Right. Here we go, Richard. Here we go, Richard.
RICHARD QUEST, CNN BUSINESS EDITOR-AT-LARGE AND CNN ANCHOR, QUEST MEANS BUSINESS: Yes, I can see it.
SOARES: Right. So, that was it. We saw the photo as well. Richard, let me get first your reaction. You've covered the monarchy for a long time. The
gravity of this moment.
QUEST: Oh, one can't. I mean, it's just so huge. The fact that the king's brother has been arrested and on a serious matter. This isn't about -- I
mean, look, it's not the first time that one of the children of the monarch has been arrested. Princess Anne was done for speeding and a dangerous dog
and things like that. But this is what's known as an arrestable offence.
This is a misconduct in a public office. This is a serious matter that goes to the heart of trust and confidence. And as a result of which, on top of
everything else, from what's known and what's come out so far, this is probably, as I think you were saying earlier, the biggest crisis since the
abdication, and some would argue perhaps greater than the abdication back in the 1930s.
Andrew facing these allegations -- and let's be clear, there are no charges yet. He's been arrested. What you have here, Isa, is everything is exactly
the same as it would be for any other person. The process, the questioning, everything. It's all the same. But it's totally different because of the
magnitude of the event.
SOARES: And he was, Richard, and I know you've interviewed him. He was a trade envoy representing the U.K. around the world, seen in many ways as
kind of a key part of Britain's soft power. What did that involve?
QUEST: Essentially, traveling the world, selling Britain, selling U.K. PLC. And he was quite good at it at one level. He would turn up. He knew
his briefing books up to a point. He would do the hand gliding. He would walk around. So, from that point of view, he was, I did several trips with
him in his role as trade envoy.
But the reality was it was controversial when he got it. And it was controversial when he left it. The feeling was he was traveling and he was
getting more out of it than Britain.
[14:45:00]
SOARES: Richard Quest, live for us in Sydney in this breaking news. Thank you very much, Richard. We'll continue to be across this breaking news
stories as the former Prince Andrew has just left the U.K. police station. Do stay right here.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SOARES: Well, even princes are not above the law, that reaction from Ro Khanna, the U.S. Democratic congressman who co-sponsored the bill requiring
the DOJ Department of Justice to release the Epstein files. Several U.S. lawmakers are speaking out on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest as well,
including former Republican Congressman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who points out the lack of accountability in the United States for those with ties to
Jeffrey Epstein. Mountbatten-Windsor has been released just in light of the arrest. We were telling you.
Stephen Lynch, a Democrat, a member of the House Oversight Committee, told CNN today's arrest offers a great contrast. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. STEPHEN LYNCH (D-MA): Look what the British government is doing in light of the evidence. And look what the United States government's doing.
Nothing. It is refreshing that the British government is coming forward and actually and the King is actually saying we need to follow the law here. I
wish our government were doing the same.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Well, General Mike Flynn, a former national security adviser to President Donald Trump, wrote on X, if the Brits can arrest a royal, why
can't America arrest blank? As you can see, provide a name, please. Earlier, an Epstein survivor told CNN that the U.S. should also take
action.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARINA LACERDA, JEFFREY EPSTEIN SURVIVOR: The DOJ stands for Department of Justice. They need to -- you know, they need to take some action on this.
It's serious. We've got to look at other countries and we've got to see ourselves. And other countries are looking at us and they're talking about
us and they're saying, what are they doing? Why aren't they taking any action?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Let's get more from our Kevin Liptack, who's at the White House. And, Kevin, it does seem like the dominoes of justice are falling
everywhere but the United States. Yet we are starting to hear, we've just played some sound there, greater calls for accountability growing there.
How is this arrest, of course, he's now being released, of the former Prince Andrew being reported there, being covered there?
KEVIN LIPTAK, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Yes, and I think it does, you know, raise some very hard questions, including at the White House, but
also at the Department of Justice, about why there has been accountability really at the highest levels in places like Britain, but in other parts of
Europe as well. But really a lack of accountability, at least among any major political figures in the United States, despite many being mentioned
in the Epstein files, including people who are very close to President Trump.
[14:50:00]
Now, I do just want to let you know that we have heard from President Trump now, responding to the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. He was
speaking to reporters on Air Force One. He just landed in Georgia. So, he just now got the notes of what he said. He says he thinks it's a shame. He
says he thinks it's very sad. I think it's so bad for the royal family. It's very, very sad, President Trump said. To me, it's a very sad thing.
Of course, we know President Trump has always had an affinity for the British royal family, including, in particular, the House of Windsor. He's
talked, you know, at length about his own mother and watching her watch Elizabeth II's coronation. She was obviously from Scotland. He goes on to
mention King Charles, who he calls a fantastic man. He says he's obviously coming to our country very soon. That hasn't been announced yet, but there
has been talk about a state visit by King Charles in April.
And so, you hear the president there expressing chagrin and sympathy at this whole matter, but not necessarily addressing what is at the root of
it, which is, of course, Andrew's connections to Jeffrey Epstein. And of course, President Trump has said consistently that he thinks the country
needs to move on from the Epstein matters. We heard him say that explicitly in the Oval Office earlier this month. We heard that from his own attorney
general, Pam Bondi, who was asked these very tough questions about why more of Epstein's co-conspirators had not been prosecuted in the United States
during her congressional testimony last week. And she responded essentially by lashing out in personalized attacks against the lawmakers.
And so, even as, you know, Andrew does face some sort of reckoning in the U.K., it's clear that that is not what President Trump is interested in
whatsoever here in the United States.
SOARES: And we have seen a slew of resignations, right, over Epstein ties, but these have been mostly, from what I understand, from the business
world. I just want to show our viewers some of the names that have been impacted. We've discussed him on the show, the executive chairman of Hyatt
Hotels, the former Goldman Sachs lawyer, former owner Victoria's Secret. In fact, yesterday we're talking about Les Wexner.
We've got about a minute or so here. What did we hear from Les Wexner yesterday in that six-hour deposition?
LIPTAK: Well, essentially what Wexner was trying to claim was that Jeffrey Epstein essentially embezzled a lot of money from him. And we do
understand, and this has been sort of documented through CNN reporting, that much of Epstein's fortune originated from Les Wexner, who you'll
remember was the founder of Victoria's Secret and a number of other brands. You do see accountability in some ways, you know, Congress trying to go
after some of these business people who are associated with Epstein. But in terms of political figures in the United States, there has been, you know,
almost no reckoning.
SOARES: Yes. Thank you very much, Kevin. Really appreciate it. Lots of breaking news this hour. We're going to take a short break. We'll be back
after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:55:00]
SOARES: And breaking news that we've been following the last, what, 10 minutes or so. The former Prince Andrew has been seen leaving the police
station after his arrest earlier today. And that's the photo that was taken as he was leaving. He's being investigated on suspicion of misconduct in
public office, though police have not said what specifically led to the arrest. But Mountbatten-Windsor spent a decade as U.K. trade envoy.
Emails recently released from the Epstein files appears to show that Andrew sent confidential material to Jeffrey Epstein. One of the properties being
searched, that has ended, according to police. The upper property in Windsor, that still continues. We'll stay across this breaking news. "What
We Know" with Max Foster, live from Buckingham Palace, is next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[15:00:00]
END
