UK police says it’s open to probing sexual misconduct claims against former prince Andrew

By AFP and ToI Staff 22 May 2026, 11:54 am

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Britain's Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, looks round as he leaves after attending the Easter Matins Service at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, England, April 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

UK police investigating former prince Andrew says they are also open to probing a claim of sexual misconduct against King Charles III’s brother, and appeal to anyone with relevant information to come forward.

Detectives at Thames Valley Police say they have been in touch with the lawyer of a potential victim following reports a woman was brought to Windsor, a town north of London where Andrew was a resident, in 2010 “for sexual purposes.”

The force is reportedly concerned that the public believes investigators are only focused on accusations of misconduct in public office by the former prince, who was stripped of his royal titles last year and is now known simply as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

The force has been probing allegations that Mountbatten-Windsor shared sensitive information with the late billionaire sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during the former’s decade as UK trade envoy. Mountbatten-Windsor has denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged, but remains under police caution.

The force says its investigation is “examining a number of aspects of alleged misconduct following the release of files under the Epstein Files Transparency Act in the United States.”

In addition to the investigation into misconduct in public office, the force stresses that “the assessment of reports that a woman was taken to an address in Windsor in 2010 for sexual purposes is ongoing.”

“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,” the statement adds.

“Our team of very experienced detectives are working meticulously through a significant amount of information that has come in from the public and other sources,” the force says. “We encourage anyone with information to get in touch with us through the normal non-urgent contact channels, such as the Thames Valley police online portal.”