The offences are claimed to be linked to images shared on WhatsApp, police said.

Edwards is accused of having six category A images, the most serious classification of indecent images, on a phone.

He is also accused of making 12 category B pictures and 19 category C photographs.

Edwards will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday morning.

The star was arrested last November by London’s Met Police – and charged with the offences on Wednesday, June 26.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman 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 8 November 2023. He was charged on Wednesday, 26 June following authorisation from the Crown Prosecution Service.

“He has been bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 31 July.

“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.”

The offences can carry a jail term of up to 10 years.

Ministry of Justice guidelines states that the definition of ‘child’ is anyone under 18.

Married dad-of-five Edwards resigned from the BBC three months ago after a glittering career spanning almost 40 years.

The Corporation revealed their star presenter’s resignation in a short statement on April 22.

It said: “Huw Edwards has resigned and left the BBC.

“After 40 years of service, Huw explained that his decision was made on the basis of advice. The BBC has accepted his resignation.”

Last week, the Beeb’s annual salary report revealed former News at Ten anchor Edwards was the corporation’s third-highest paid star from April 2023 to March 2024.

He earned between £475,000 and £479,999 in the period – with his salary only topped by Gary Lineker and Zoe Ball.

Welshman Edwards was born in Bridgend in 1961 and raised in a village near Llanelli by his father, Hywel – a professor of Welsh literature and teacher mother Aerona.

After a stint on radio in Swansea, he joined the BBC as a news trainee in 1984 before becoming Parliamentary Correspondent for BBC Wales two years later.

Edwards fronted the Six O’Clock News from 1994 to 2003.

And in January 2003, he became the main presenter of BBC One’s Ten O’Clock News.

As one of the most experienced – and respected – broadcasters at the Corporation, he was trusted with state events as well as the Beeb’s election coverage.

The award-winning presenter led the BBC’s coverage of the funerals of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.

Edwards – formerly the corporation’s best-paid news reporter – was also the BBC’s lead presenter at King Charles’ Coronation at Westminster Abbey last May.

More than 13 million watched on BBC One as Edwards talked the nation through the ceremony which saw both Charles and Queen Camilla crowned.

Edwards also hosted the May 2018 wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan in Windsor for the BBC.

A Crown Prosecution Service spokesperson said: “Huw Edwards, 62, of South West London, has been charged with three offences of making indecent images of children.

“The CPS authorised the charges after a Metropolitan Police investigation.

“Mr Edwards will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 31 July 2024.

“We remind all that proceedings are active, and the defendant has the right to a fair trial.

“It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary, or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”

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Source: USA Today