Police investigating Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Prince Andrew, have confirmed they are prepared to examine a claim of sexual misconduct against King Charles III’s brother dating back to 2010.

Thames Valley Police said on Friday they have contacted the lawyer representing a potential victim after reports emerged that a woman was brought to Windsor “for sexual purposes” that year. Andrew, the late Queen Elizabeth II’s second son, was a resident of the Berkshire town at the time.

The force stressed it wants the public to understand its investigation extends beyond allegations of misconduct in public office, which centre on claims Andrew shared sensitive information with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein during his decade as UK trade envoy.

“Our investigation is examining a number of aspects of alleged misconduct following the release of files under the Epstein Files Transparency Act in the United States,” Thames Valley Police said in a statement.

The force added that its assessment of reports regarding the Windsor incident “is ongoing”.

“We have engaged with the woman’s legal representative to confirm 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 statement said.

Police repeated their appeal for anyone with relevant information to come forward.

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Andrew was arrested in mid-February following new revelations stemming from his ties to Epstein, the late billionaire US sex offender who died in prison in 2019. He was questioned for several hours at a police station on suspicion of misconduct in public office during his time as UK trade envoy from 2001 to 2011.

Andrew, who now goes by his legal name Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged. He remains under police caution.

The king stripped his brother of royal titles in October as the scandal surrounding the Epstein connection intensified. Andrew has also been removed from Royal Lodge in Windsor and now lives at the king’s private Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.

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