UK Police Expand Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Investigation to Include Sexual Misconduct Allegations

Thames Valley Police said on May 22 that their investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Prince Andrew, now encompasses potential sexual misconduct as part of a broader probe into misconduct in public office.

Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on 19 February and released under investigation. He was questioned on suspicion of misconduct in public office after emails in the Epstein Files suggested he shared confidential information with Jeffrey Epstein. His house on King Charles III's Sandringham Estate and his former home, Royal Lodge in Windsor, were both searched by detectives.

Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said: "Misconduct in public office is a crime that can take different forms, making this a complex investigation." He added: "There's a number of aspects of alleged misconduct that the investigation is examining." Police are examining aspects beyond the sharing of confidential trade reports with Epstein, including potential abuse of position and sexual misconduct.

Thames Valley Police confirmed it has engaged with the legal representative of a woman who, according to a BBC report, was sent by Epstein to have a sexual encounter with Mountbatten-Windsor. Police said: "We have engaged with the woman's legal representative to confirm that, should she wish to report this to police, it will be taken seriously and handled with care, sensitivity and respect for her privacy and her right for anonymity." No formal investigation has been opened into that specific allegation.

Police have not yet received formal information from the US Department of Justice and are relying on publicly released Epstein Files material. A formal request for US information is being channelled through the National Crime Agency. The force said it had "been working with the United States Department of Justice to get further information that may be related to this investigation."

Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently and strenuously denied any wrongdoing. Epstein died in a New York prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

Thames Valley Police repeated its call for witnesses and victims to come forward. "We hope that anyone with relevant information will come forward whenever they are ready to engage with us; our door is always open," the force said. ACC Wright noted: "There is a risk that the victim survivors may be put off from contacting us because they feel the weight of public, national and international focus will be too much for them."