London's Metropolitan Police and Thames Valley Police are probing Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor for alleged corruption and sexual misconduct. The investigation focuses on an incident at the 2002 Royal Ascot and follows the release of US files concerning Jeffrey Epstein.

The 2002 Royal Ascot misconduct claim

The Thames Valley Police are currently investigating allegations that Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor behaved inappropriately toward a woman during the 2002 Royal Ascot in Berkshire. This specific incident occurred during the year of Queen Elizabeth II's golden jubilee, adding a layer of historical sensitivity to the current probe. According to the report, the investigation has since broadened to encompass a wide range of potential offenses, moving beyond a single event to a more comprehensive review of the royal's conduct.

This shift in focus reflects a growing pattern of scrutiny regarding the Prince's interactions with women over several decades.. By targeting a specific event from 2002, investigators are attempting to establish a timeline of behavior that may correlate with other claims of misconduct. the involvement of the Thames Valley Police, who hold jurisdiction over the Berkshire region, indicates that the authorities are pursuing localized evidence to support these broader allegations.

How Jeffrey Epstein's US files triggered new raids

The expansion of the current police probe was directly precipitated by the release of legal files in the United States concerning the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. As reported, these documents have prompted the Metropolitan Police to widen their scope, now examining not only sexual misconduct but also potential corruption linked to Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's relationship with Epstein.. This transition from a civil-focused scandal to a criminal investigation suggests that the US-sourced material contains leads that UK authorities find actionable.

The Epstein connection has long been the central pillar of the controversy surrounding the royal, but the introduction of "corruption" as a formal line of inquiry marks a significant escalation. This suggests that investigators may be looking for financial irregularities or the abuse of royal prerogative to facilitate Epstein's activities. The reliance on US documents highlights the international nature of the evidence trail, though the process of obtaining formal copies of these files remains a hurdle for the public prosecutor.

Seizures at Prince Andrew's former and current residences

In a significant escalation of tactics, the Metropolitan Police have carried out raids on both the former home and the new property of Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Police have seized materials from these locations, which are currently being examined for evidence related to the ongoing misconduct and corruption probes.. The decision to raid multiple properties indicates that investigators believe critical physical or digital evidence may have been moved or stored across different royal residences.

These raids represent a rare instance of the Metropolitan Police taking such aggressive steps against a senior member of the royal family. The search for material suggests that the police are no longer relying solely on witness testimony but are seeking forensic proof to build a case. The timing of these seizures, coinciding with the US document releases, underscores the urgency with which the Metropolitan Police are treating these new leads.

Sir Vince Cable's witness statement and the CPS timeline

Sir Vince Cable has confirmed that he was asked by police to provide a witness statement regarding the broader allegations against Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. This inclusion of a high-profile political figure as a witness suggests that the investigation is exploring the royal's professional and social circles to find corroborating evidence of his conduct. The testimony of Sir Vince Cable could provide crucial context regarding the Prince's reputation and behavior during the period under investigation.

Despite these developments, the path to prosecution remains long and uncertain. The report notes that the inquiry could take several months before detectives are able to compile a comprehensive file for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). A critical gap remains in the evidence chain: while the public prosecutor has made formal requests for copies of the Epstein files, that information has not yet been obtained. Until the CPS receives these documents and reviews the seized materials, the likelihood of formal charges remains an open question.