Prince Andrew investigation expands to 2002 Royal Ascot allegation
Thames Valley Police are examining an allegation that Prince Andrew behaved inappropriately toward a woman at the Royal Ascot racing meeting in Berkshire in June 2002. The claim, first reported by The Sunday Times, is being added to a wider inquiry into suspected misconduct in public office, sexual misconduct, fraud and corruption linked to the former duke’s former role as the UK's special trade envoy.
Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor was arrested on 19 February, his 66th birthday, and questioned under caution before being released pending further investigation. Police have searched his former homes in Windsor and Norfolk and are seeking witnesses, including a U.S. woman who says she was taken to a Windsor address in 2010 for sexual purposes. The investigation also examines alleged information sharing with convicted financier Jeffrey Epstein, as documented in U.S. Department of Justice files. Amid the probe, his daughters Beatrice and Eugenie have been barred from attending this year's Royal Ascot.
The police stress they are following all reasonable lines of inquiry and have requested original Epstein‑related files from U.S. authorities.