British police investigate Prince Andrew over alleged 2002 misconduct at Royal Ascot

British police are investigating a complaint alleging inappropriate conduct by Prince Andrew towards a woman at the Royal Ascot horse racing festival in 2002. The Thames Valley Police (TVP) are examining the incident as part of a wider investigation into the former Duke of York for alleged misconduct in public office.

The alleged events occurred during the well-known equestrian event, which Queen Elizabeth II attended in her Golden Jubilee year. Andrew was a regular attendee of Ascot, a major social and sporting occasion in the UK. It remains unclear whether the complaint was filed at the time of the incident or years later, according to The Sunday Times.

TVP clarified in February that their investigation into Andrew, who was a special representative for British trade and investment from 2001 to 2011, could also encompass potential cases of sexual misconduct, fraud, and corruption. This aims to address public perception that the case is limited to accusations of leaking confidential information.

Prince Andrew was detained and subsequently released in February as part of the investigation. The 'Epstein files,' released last year in the US, suggested Andrew may have passed confidential British government information to the late American financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Additionally, Virginia Giuffre accused Andrew of sexually abusing her on three occasions when she was a minor in 2001, facilitated by Epstein. Andrew denies all accusations but reached a multi-million dollar out-of-court settlement in 2022 to end Giuffre's civil lawsuit.