Former Prince Andrew remains under active criminal investigation in the United Kingdom as British detectives examine allegations tied to his former role as a trade envoy and his long-running association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, while U.S. authorities continue withholding unredacted Epstein files sought by investigators.
Thames Valley Police confirmed Friday that officers are still assessing potential misconduct in public office and possible sexual offences connected to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former senior royal stripped of official duties amid years of controversy surrounding Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
The investigation intensified after Andrew was arrested in February and later released under investigation. Police stressed that no charges have been filed and that inquiries could continue for months as detectives review evidence, witness statements and material connected to Epstein-related disclosures.
Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright described the case as unusually complex. "Our misconduct in public office investigation is continuing. Misconduct in public office is a crime that can take different forms, making this a complex investigation," Wright said in a statement.
He added that a "team of very experienced detectives" is "working meticulously through a significant amount of information that has come in from the public" and remains "committed to conducting a thorough investigation into all reasonable lines of enquiry, wherever they may lead."
At the center of the inquiry is Andrew's tenure as the United Kingdom's special trade envoy between 2001 and 2011, a role that gave him access to government officials, business leaders and sensitive commercial discussions around the world. Investigators are examining whether confidential information connected to that role was improperly shared with Epstein.
The British probe has also widened to examine allegations tied to a woman who claims she was brought to Windsor in 2010 "for sexual purposes." According to police statements, the alleged incident is connected to Royal Lodge, Andrew's longtime residence on the Windsor estate.
The woman has not filed a formal criminal complaint, but authorities confirmed they have communicated with her legal representative. Her attorney, Brad Edwards, previously stated: "We're talking about at least one woman who was sent by Jeffrey Epstein over to Prince Andrew."
Edwards alleged the woman spent the night with Andrew and later toured Buckingham Palace. Those allegations have not been tested in court, and Andrew has denied wrongdoing.
The investigation has become increasingly entangled with recently released Epstein documents from the U.S. Department of Justice. British authorities say only heavily redacted records have been made public, limiting investigators' ability to fully assess communications and financial dealings tied to Epstein's network.
According to Thames Valley Police, the DOJ has indicated it will not release unredacted files without a formal legal request from British authorities. No complete disclosure has yet been made to UK investigators.
Already released materials reportedly include emails suggesting Andrew relayed details about visits to Singapore, Hong Kong and Vietnam, including investment-related discussions, to Epstein during his time serving as a trade representative.
The broader scandal has also reignited scrutiny of the British monarchy itself after newly released government documents showed Queen Elizabeth II strongly supported Andrew's appointment as trade envoy.
In a 2000 memo released this week, Sir David Wright, then head of British Trade International, wrote: "The Queen is very keen that the Duke of York should take on a prominent role in the promotion of national interests."
The documents also revealed that no formal vetting or due diligence process appears to have been conducted before Andrew assumed the role.
The allegations surrounding Andrew stretch back years. In 2014, Virginia Giuffre publicly accused him of sexually abusing her when she was 17, allegations Andrew has repeatedly denied. The dispute later resulted in a civil settlement in the United States without any admission of liability.
