UK Police Say Investigation Into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Will Be Lengthy, May Include Sexual Misconduct Allegations

May 22, 2026

UK police say their investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor will be lengthy and may include sexual misconduct allegations, not just his former role as a trade envoy. The probe, prompted by files on Jeffrey Epstein, led to his February 2026 arrest for misconduct in public office. Authorities are appealing for witnesses and have contacted the lawyer of a woman who alleged Epstein sent her for a sexual encounter with the former prince.

Thames Valley police investigation

▪Thames Valley Police are investigating Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor for potential misconduct in public office.
▪Thames Valley Police have contacted the lawyer for the woman who alleged the 2010 sexual encounter but have not yet spoken to the woman herself.
▪The investigation was prompted by the release of U.S. Department of Justice files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
▪Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright stated the investigation will be "long and complex" and is not expected to conclude before 2027.
▪Thames Valley Police have appealed for any witnesses or victims with relevant information to come forward.
▪Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on February 19, 2026, and questioned by detectives before being released under investigation.
▪Police are assessing a report that a woman was sent by Jeffrey Epstein for a sexual encounter with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in Windsor in 2010.
▪The police investigation could expand to include allegations of sexual misconduct, corruption, and abuse of position.

Met police protection failures

▪Leaked emails reportedly suggest Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor asked his Metropolitan Police protection officer to run checks on Virginia Giuffre.
▪The Metropolitan Police never opened a full investigation into Virginia Giuffre's claims against Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

Virginia Giuffre settlement

▪Virginia Giuffre, who accused Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor of sexual assault, died by suicide at age 41, approximately a year before May 2026.
▪Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor paid a reported £12m to settle a civil lawsuit with Virginia Giuffre, who had accused him of sexual assault.

Monarchy institutional protection

▪King Charles III stripped his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, of his royal titles and honors.
▪Government documents show the late Queen Elizabeth II had pushed for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to be appointed to the trade envoy role.
▪King Charles III has stated that authorities have the royal family's "full and wholehearted support and cooperation" in the investigation.

Andrew's trade envoy role

▪Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor served as a UK special representative for trade and investment from 2001 to 2011.
▪Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor stood down from his trade envoy role in 2011 due to his ties with Jeffrey Epstein.
▪Emails from U.S. Department of Justice files appeared to show Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor had shared confidential material with Jeffrey Epstein.
▪Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied any wrongdoing or personal gain from his role as a UK trade envoy.