Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been seen for the first time since police announced they were investigating him over potential sex crimes, as part of their inquiry into potential misconduct in public office. The former prince was seen driving his Land Rover Defender on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk after walking his dogs this afternoon. Wearing a yellow shirt, Andrew had not been seen since Thames Valley Police published a new statement on Friday morning revealing the widened probe and appealing for witnesses.
Police Examine Multiple Aspects of Alleged Misconduct
Officers are examining a number of aspects of alleged misconduct, including sexual wrongdoing and corruption. The original allegations were that he gave commercially valuable information to paedophile Jeffery Epstein while serving as the UK's special trade envoy from 2001 to 2011. Officers, including those specialising in sexual offences, are following several lines of inquiry following the publication of the Epstein files.
Andrew, 66, broke cover just hours after the Mirror revealed Buckingham Palace is actively assisting police with specific inquiries into allegations the former Prince Andrew committed misconduct in a public office. Sources have revealed that Thames Valley Police has asked to see visitor logs at royal residences linked to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Detectives have also requested logs of his private protection officers, detailing their shift patterns while protecting the former Duke of York from 2001 to 2010.
Buckingham Palace Assisting Police Inquiries
A source said: "Buckingham Palace is now actively assisting police inquiries, in line with the King's statement that they stood ready to do so. This is an incredibly sensitive investigation and one in which no stone will be left unturned." King Charles said investigators had the family's support and cooperation, after his brother's arrest in February and questioning on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Mountbatten-Windsor's former home Royal Lodge in Windsor and his then home, Wood Farm in Sandringham, were searched.
The legal definition of misconduct in a public office can include financial misconduct and sexual misconduct. Police have asked US officials for original copies of the Epstein files. They appealed for victims to come forward and are probing a woman's claim Epstein flew her to the UK for sex with Mountbatten-Windsor in 2010.
Woman's Allegations and Police Response
The woman, who is not British and was in her 20s at the time, claims she was sent by Jeffrey Epstein to Prince Andrew. Her lawyer, Brad Edwards, has previously said: "We're talking about at least one woman who was sent by Jeffrey Epstein over to Prince Andrew." He added that after spending the night with the former prince, the woman says she was given tea and a tour of Buckingham Palace. Detectives said they would speak to her only if she feels ready. They have told her lawyer 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 force added: "We recognise how difficult it can be to speak about experiences of this nature. Any contact with police will be led by her wishes, when and if she feels ready and able to do so."
Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of abusing her in 2001, took her own life last April. She claimed that aged 17 she was trafficked by Epstein and his girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell, and forced to have sex with Mountbatten-Windsor – which he denies. Speaking about the widened probe, Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said: "Misconduct in public office is a crime that can take different forms, making this a complex investigation. Our team of very experienced detectives are working meticulously through a significant amount of information from the public and other sources. We are committed to conducting a thorough investigation into all reasonable lines of enquiry. We encourage anyone with information to get in touch with us through non-urgent channels, such as the Thames Valley Police online portal." The force is supporting national policing in contacting Epstein victims and survivors. It said: "We hope that anyone with relevant information will come forward whenever they are ready to engage with us." Mountbatten-Windsor vehemently denies any wrongdoing.
