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Britain's Andrew hands back Norwegian royal order, Norwegian palace says
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 19, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 19, 2026
Quick Summary
Norway’s palace says Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor returned the 1988 Order of St. Olav. The move came as he was arrested on Feb. 19, 2026 for suspected misconduct in public office linked to Epstein files.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Returns Norway's Royal Order, Palace Confirms
Background and Royal Context
OSLO, Feb 19 (Reuters) - King Charles' younger brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has given back a royal Norwegian order that the former prince received almost four decades ago, Norway's palace said on Thursday.
What Is the Order of St. Olav?
The Order of St. Olav, Norway's most prestigious peacetime award, recognises distinguished service by its recipients, and was bestowed on then-Prince Andrew in 1988.
Decision to Return the Honour
"Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has chosen to return his order," a palace spokesperson in Oslo said.
Legal Issues Reported
The second son of the late Queen Elizabeth was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office over allegations he sent confidential government documents to Jeffrey Epstein, the BBC reported.
Links to the Epstein Scandal
King Charles last year stripped his younger brother of his title of prince and forced him out of his Windsor home, seeking to distance him from the royal family over his links to the Epstein scandal.
Norway's royal palace declined to comment on why the order had been returned, citing confidentiality in matters of such awards.
Family Ties Between British and Norwegian Royals
Norway's King Harald is related to King Charles and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor through several royal ancestors, including Britain's 19th-century monarch Queen Victoria.
Reporting and Editing Credits
(Reporting by Terje Solsvik; editing by Barbara Lewis)
Key Takeaways
- •Norway’s royal palace says Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor returned the Order of St. Olav bestowed in 1988.
- •His name was removed from the royal court’s list of recipients after the return.
- •The development coincided with his Feb. 19, 2026 arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
- •Allegations relate to sharing confidential documents with Jeffrey Epstein; Andrew denies wrongdoing.
- •King Charles previously stripped Andrew of titles and removed him from his Windsor residence.
Frequently Asked Questions about Britain's Andrew hands back Norwegian royal order, Norwegian palace says
1What is the main topic?
Norway’s royal palace confirmed Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor returned the Order of St. Olav, which he received in 1988, amid separate reports of his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
2Why did he return the Order of St. Olav?
The palace cited confidentiality and did not provide a reason. It confirmed only that Andrew chose to return the order and is no longer listed as a recipient.
3How is this connected to recent legal developments?
The order’s return was reported the same day Andrew was arrested on Feb. 19, 2026 over suspected misconduct in public office tied to allegations he shared confidential documents with Jeffrey Epstein.
