Former BBC presenter Huw Edwards has been charged with making indecent images of children, the Metropolitan Police said.
The veteran broadcaster, 62, who left the corporation in April, faces three charges over alleged activity between December 2020 and April 2022.
He is due in court on Wednesday.
According to the charge sheet, Edwards is accused of having six category A images, 12 category B pictures and 19 category C photographs on WhatsApp.
The offences are contrary to sections 1(1)(a) and 6 of the Protection of Children Act 1978, and if found guilty, he could receive a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment.
A police spokesperson said: “Huw Edwards, 62, of Southwark, London, has been charged with three counts of making indecent images of children following a Met Police investigation.
“The offences, which are alleged to have taken place between December 2020 and April 2022, relate to images shared on a WhatsApp chat.
“Edwards was arrested on November 8 2023. He was charged on Wednesday June 26 following authorisation from the Crown Prosecution Service.
“He has been bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday July 31.
“Media and the public are strongly reminded that this is an active case.
“Nothing should be published, including on social media, which could prejudice future court proceedings.”
Edwards was one of the BBC’s most prominent and highest-paid news anchors before he left the corporation earlier this year.
During his career, he fronted BBC’s News At Ten for 20 years and anchored coverage of major national events including announcing Queen Elizabeth II’s death on the BBC and presenting coverage of her funeral.
He also helmed the BBC’s broadcast of King Charles' coronation last year.
Throughout the years he presented the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012 and Platinum Jubilee in 2022, the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (now the Prince and Princess of Wales) in 2011, the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in 2018, and the funeral of Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in 2021.
The BBC News At Ten presenter was also the broadcaster’s voice at Trooping the Colour and the Festival of Remembrance, and took over election coverage from the long-serving David Dimbleby in 2019.
Before he stepped down, he was the BBC’s highest-paid newsreader, with a pay bracket of £475,000 and £479,999 for the year 2023/24 for 160 presenting days, BBC One news specials, election specials and other television programming, according to the BBC’s latest annual report.
