Police Announce Andrew Investigation Will "Likely" Expand Into Other Offenses, Including "Alleged Sex Trafficking"

A report in the 'Times' indicates that police will "consider wider charges against" the ex-duke.

Prince Andrew wearing a suit and scowling
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on February 19 on suspicion of misconduct in public office, and according to a new report, the police inquiry into the former Duke of York is expected to “widen” into other potential charges. On Thursday, March 19, the Times reported that Thames Valley Police will “likely” expand their investigation into charges outside of his alleged misdoings as a U.K. trade envoy.

According to the outlet, the ex-Duke of York, whose titles were stripped by King Charles in October 2025, is “set to be investigated over other potential corruption offenses on top of a scoping inquiry into alleged sex trafficking,” per police.

Andrew has continuously denied any wrongdoing in relation to his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein and the sexual assault charges brought upon him by the late Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre. But Andrew was arrested for allegedly sharing confidential documents with the convicted sex offender after new information was released by the U.S. Department of Justice in the Epstein files.

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Melania Trump, Prince Andrew, Jeffrey Epstein at a party at Mar a Lago

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is pictured with (from left) Melania Trump, Gwendolyn Beck and Jeffrey Epstein at a party at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in 2000.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Sarah Ferguson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in black at the Duchess of Kent's funeral

The ex-duke's last public appearance was at the Duchess of Kent's funeral in September 2025.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

A police source told the Times that after Andrew was arrested on misconduct in public office (Mipo), it’s opened the door “to look at broader offenses.”

“The legal bar for Mipo is high,” the source said. “There was always an issue over whether he was actually a public official at the time, whether he actually signed any papers. It’s not surprising that they are having to look at broader offenses.”

If found guilty of misconduct in public office, the potential maximum penalty is a life sentence in prison. According to police, any interviews regarding the investigation “are expected to be by appointment,” but any final decisions on charges could take a year.

In the meantime, Andrew has been evicted from his longtime home, Royal Lodge, and is living on The King's Sandringham estate as he awaits the results of his investigation.

Kristin Contino
Senior Royal and Celebrity Editor

Kristin Contino is Marie Claire's Senior Royal and Celebrity editor. She's been covering royalty since 2018—including major moments such as the Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II’s death and King Charles III's coronation—and places a particular focus on the British Royal Family's style and what it means.

Prior to working at Marie Claire, she wrote about celebrity and royal fashion at Page Six Style and covered royalty from around the world as chief reporter at Royal Central. Kristin has provided expert commentary for outlets including the BBC, Sky News, US Weekly, the Today Show and many others.

Kristin is also the published author of two novels, “The Legacy of Us” and “A House Full of Windsor.” She's passionate about travel, history, horses, and learning everything she can about her favorite city in the world, London.