Thames Valley Police are investigating an allegation that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor behaved inappropriately towards a woman at Royal Ascot in 2002, according to the Sunday Times. The incident is said to have occurred during the five-day racing event in Berkshire, the year of the Queen's Golden Jubilee.
The force confirmed on Friday that their inquiry into the Duke is wider than previously believed, covering sexual misconduct. He was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office, related to his role as a British trade envoy. A spokesperson said: 'We cannot go into specifics of the investigation, but we are following all reasonable lines of inquiry.'
It is unclear whether the Ascot claim was reported at the time or more recently. The Duke denies all wrongdoing. Police have appealed for witnesses to come forward with information about alleged sexual misconduct, corruption, fraud, or sharing of confidential information.
TVP is also assessing a separate claim from a US woman who alleges she was taken to a Windsor address in 2010 for sexual purposes. That has not yet become a full criminal investigation. Three other British forces are conducting criminal investigations triggered by revelations from the Epstein files.
Challenges include establishing whether the Duke's trade envoy role falls under misconduct rules, and obtaining original documents from the US Department of Justice, which has requested a formal international legal request that could take months.
