Investigation into Ex-Prince Andrew Will Assess Claims of Sexual Misconduct, Police Say

The former Prince Andrew was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office and released after 11 hours in custody

NEED TO KNOW

• In an update on Friday, May 22, Thames Valley Police said they are also assessing "reports that a woman was taken to an address in Windsor in 2010 for sexual purposes"

• Andrew's arrest came after amid authorities' investigation into a claim he shared confidential information with Jeffrey Epstein in his previous role as U.K. trade envoy

The U.K. police investigation into the formerPrince Andrewwill look into claims of sexual misconduct.

On Feb. 19, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor wasarrested at his home on the Sandringham Estateon suspicion of misconduct in public office.

His arrest came amid authoritiesinvestigating a claim that he shared confidential information with late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epsteinin his previous role as a U.K. trade envoy. He wasreleased after about 11 hours in police custody. Two of Andrew’s homes were also searched. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.

In a news release shared on Friday, May 22, Thames Valley Police (TVP) announced that they were continuing their investigation, sharing that “in addition to the investigation into misconduct in public office, the assessment of reports that a woman was taken to an address in Windsor in 2010 for sexual purposes is ongoing.”

PEOPLE contacted a representative for Andrew on Friday, May 22, but did not immediately receive a response.

This comes after a second woman came forward in late January to allege that she was sent to the U.K. by Epstein to have sex with Andrew,PEOPLE previously reported.

According to theCrown Prosecution Service (CPS)in the U.K., an individual can also be found guilty of misconduct in a public office if they use their position “to instigate (or attempt to instigate) sexual or otherwise inappropriate relationships.”

The release added that following Andrew’s arrest and the search of his two properties, “we have been working with the United States Department of Justice to get further information that may be related to this investigation. We have also been working with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in the United Kingdom and have sought early investigative advice from them as we would in serious, complex, or sensitive cases.”

“The 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,” the release added. “We are also speaking with a number of witnesses, however as per national guidance we cannot confirm or deny the identities of these individuals.”

The woman's lawyer, Brad Edwards, told theBBCon Jan. 31, “We’re talking about at least one woman who was sent by Jeffrey Epstein, over to Prince Andrew. And she even had, after a night with Prince Andrew, a tour of Buckingham Palace.”

The lawyer alleged that Andrew entertained the unnamed woman at his home, Royal Lodge, in Windsor, in 2010. She was in her 20s at the time, per the outlet.

Advertisement

Edwards also represented the lateVirginia Giuffre, who alleged that she was trafficked to London to have sex with Andrew when she was 17.

Giuffre died by suicide in April 2025. Andrew has repeatedly denied Giuffre’s allegations andreached a settlementwith her in 2022.

In their release on Friday, TVP said, “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 life-long right to anonymity under UK law.”

“We recognize how difficult it can be to speak about experiences of this nature, and any contact with police will be led by her wishes, when and if she feels ready and able to do so,” they added.

Police have also called for anyone with information related to their investigation to come forward.

Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up forour free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

Thames Valley Police Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said in a statement, “Our misconduct in public office investigation is continuing. 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 that has come in from the public and other sources," Wright added. We are committed to conducting a thorough investigation into all reasonable lines of enquiry, wherever they may lead. We encourage anyone with information to get in touch with us through the normal non-urgent contact channels, such as the Thames Valley Police online portal.”

In October 2025, Andrew’s brotherKing Charlesstripped him of royal titlesas his links to Epstein came under renewed scrutiny.

Andrew's relationship with the American financier, who died while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges in August 2019,set a step back from royal life and public dutiesthat November.

Read the original article onPeople

byMario Satorik

in

May 22, 2026

Investigation into Ex-Prince Andrew Will Assess Claims of Sexual Misconduct, Police Say

The former Prince Andrew was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office and released after 11 hours in custody ...

Read More

Prince William Shares Emotional Update on Kate Middleton’s Recovery: ‘Our Family Couldn’t Cope Without Her’

Prince William invited Heart Breakfast hosts to the Isles of Scilly for the first live national radio broadcast to take place there

NEED TO KNOW

• During the interview, the Prince of Wales praised wife Kate Middleton and shared an emotional update on her recovery following her cancer journey

• The May 22 interview came as William opens a new wing at a hospital on the Isles of Scilly

Prince Williamgave a rare live interview on Friday, May 22, opening up about how proud he is of wifeKate Middleton'srecovery from cancer, and her recent trip to Italy for her early years project.

“She's an amazing mum, an amazing wife, and, literally, our family couldn’t cope with her, so, she's been absolutely stunning, brilliant," the Prince of Wales toldHeart Breakfasthosts Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden in the U.K. radio interview from the Isles of Scilly as he visited the remote island community to open a new hospital facility and highlight local projects backed by the Duchy of Cornwall.

And speaking about wife Kate's recovery and how she was able to make her first post-cancer overseas official visit — to Reggio Emilia — earlier this month, William, 43, said he was “so proud, very, very proud."

"She's been amazing. She's been through so much in the last couple of years, particularly. And yeah, she'd been looking forward to the Italian trip a lot. And so I'm really glad it went really well."

He added, “She wanted to go and do lots of research. She spends, God knows how much time now, looking through all the paperwork. She's a proper pro on early years. Most evenings I’m fighting to get past in the bedroom, what paperwork that she's got lined up, ready to read.  So, I'm so pleased it went well for her, and yeah, I think she came back buzzing.”

William went on to explain that the family will have to continue managing the workload of visits like that saying "away trips like that take a lot out of you ... so we have to balance that, make sure she's, she's okay and rested, but she's in good form.”

William also gave a glimpse into the chaos of getting the couple's three children,Prince George, 12,Princess Charlotte, 11, andPrince Louis, 8, ready for the morning drop off, saying they'd be listening during their preparations for school. Revealing that George boarded over night at his school, Lambrook, the previous evening, William said, “Charlotte, Louis, if you're listening, make sure you're on time, please. Make sure you're not fighting over who's listening to what this morning."

The Prince —who admitted “I'm definitely not a morning person” — further described the lively moments as they get the children out of the house, adding, “It depends, if there’s a guitar lesson, a music lesson, you've got to get guitar on the car. No, we're not taking the guitar, are we boarding are we not? Seeing friends? No, we're not. So there's all that going on in the morning.”

Then there are the snacks that they might have. Louis “will leave jam fingerprints throughout the car, which is really helpful.”

William, who was on the show to discuss the Duchy-backed hospital redevelopment and broader community projects taking shape across the islands of the coast of Cornwall, was speaking just after he had picked Raye's huge hit "WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!" to play on the show.

"Love bit of Raye. Where's my husband?" William said, also revealing it was one of Kate's favorites, too. "As my wife calls, keeps asking, 'Where IS my husband?' ”

That seemed the perfect cue for William to be asked about his journey to Istanbul, Turkey, where he watched his favorite soccer team Aston Villa win a European trophy for the first time in 44 years.

“I try and remind myself that I am a football fan and I'm just going there to enjoy myself, but then I see the following day and I realize, actually, a lot of people are watching you so stop doing that," he said of referring tothe images of him celebrating. "But I got really into the moment, and, you know, I've been following Aston Villa for most of my life, and so it was a huge moment for all Villa fans. and to celebrate Europa League final yes.”

The visit to the Scilly Isles highlighted William’s growing hands-on role overseeing the Duchy of Cornwall, the private estate he inherited fromKing Charlesupon becoming the Prince of Wales in 2022. During the broadcast, the future King discussed efforts to support housing, healthcare and sustainability projects across the Isles of Scilly, a remote archipelago off the southwestern coast of England that forms part of the Duchy estate.

He told hosts Amanda Holden and Jamie Theakston that he was going to “go and visit the hospital later, which is fantastic. The islands had issues with trying to make sure they've got sustainable long term care here. A lot of time, people had to go to the island, the mainland, and the cost for them, it's a nightmare."

Saying he was "really looking forward to seeing how the hospital's expanded, and having maternity services here now, and more social care," he was also there to "support all the wonderful NHS staff who are down here doing a hell of a job, as you can imagine, with all the conditions they have to manage down here."

Advertisement

William added, “And then I'm going to go and see some housing that we've opened for some essential workers, so it hasn't been built here for nearly 30 years now at the scale we're doing to support the teachers, the firefighters, the nurses, anyone in essential role. So exciting.”

Heart Breakfast with Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holdenis the U.K.’s biggest commercial morning show, while Heart is the country’s largest commercial radio brand, reaching 12.5 million listeners each week.

The interview was scheduled after William personally invited Theakston and Holden to the island, according toHeart.

“Hi Jamie and Amanda, I’m heading down to the Isles of Scilly, off the coast of Cornwall, on Friday, to see some of the terrific work going on there to support the local community,” William said.

He continued, “I’m also opening the new wing of the hospital in St Mary’s, which will be a fantastic moment. Amanda, I know how fond you are of Cornwall, and the Isles of Scilly, so, it would be really lovely, if you could both come along."

He ended his message with well wishes, saying, "Have a great morning, guys, and I very much look forward to seeing you on Friday. Bye!”

Richard Steel, managing editor ofHeart, said in response to William, “We’re incredibly proud to be delivering the first ever national radio broadcast live from the Isles of Scilly.”

“It’s also a real moment for Heart to welcome The Prince of Wales on air for the first time, and we’re thrilled to bring this special broadcast to our listeners as Prince William marks the opening of the new facility at the Isles of Scilly Hospital,” Steel added.

Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

The interview also comes after reports that William is planning tosell around 20% of the estateover the next decade to help fund new projects in housing, plus environmental and renewable energy.

The sale could raise an estimated $670 million, according to U.K. outletThe Times.

William took control of the Duchy — the estate created in 1337 to provide income for the heir to the throne — after King Charles became monarch in 2022.

On Thursday, May 21, William shared a photo toInstagramof himself touring a new Duchy of Cornwall housing development, which will feature housing designed to address homelessness.

The project — a collaboration between the Cornish charity St. Petrocs, the Royal Foundation’s Homewards program which he spearheaded and the Duke of Cornwall’s Charitable Foundation — will create 24 low carbon, high quality homes for local people.

"Three years ago, we set out to take a different approach, to think more carefully about how the Duchy could use its land to create opportunity and support people over the long term, including launching a project here in Cornwall to help tackle homelessness with the right support around it," he wrote on Instagram.

William continued, "It’s fantastic to come back at Nansledan and to see that beginning to take shape, and to meet some of the people now calling it home. There’s still more to do, but it’s encouraging to see what’s already possible when you bring together the right people, ideas and ambition."

Read the original article onPeople

byMario Satorik

in

May 22, 2026

Prince William Shares Emotional Update on Kate Middleton’s Recovery: ‘Our Family Couldn’t Cope Without Her’

Prince William invited Heart Breakfast hosts to the Isles of Scilly for the first live national radio broadcast to take place there ...

Read More

Baylen Dupree Says She 'Almost Puked' Before Marrying Colin Dooley

Baylen Dupree wed Colin Dooley on May 9 in Warrenton, Va.

NEED TO KNOW

• The Baylen Out Loud star admitted in a new interview that she "almost puked" before walking down the aisle because she was "really nervous"

• She noted that focusing on Dooley helped alleviate her nerves

Baylen Dupreesays her wedding was nerve-racking.

PEOPLE exclusively announced that theBaylen Out Loudstar, 23,marriedreal estate agentColin Dooley, 26, on Saturday, May 9, in Warrenton, Va. During an interview withExtraTVpublished on Tuesday, May 19, Dupree admitted that her "magical day" came with a lot of nerves.

“I almost puked before I walked down the aisle, so I was really nervous,” she said. "So, the only thing I was focused on was looking at [Colin]… what I was told was to always look at him, and not look at anybody else. So I'm just focused on him, and I wasn't really thinking anything. I was just ready to be married."

Although it was initially a struggle to focus, Dupree explained that locking her eyes on her now-husband helped to not let her nerves get the better of her.

"I was really, really nervous to do our vows in front of people. I was really nervous," she told the outlet. "Like, at the rehearsal dinner, I went to my wedding planner afterward. I was like, ‘This is awkward.' Like, 'What do I look at when I walk down the aisle?’ I'm looking at my groomsmen, I'm looking at my bridesmaids, I'm looking at my dad, I'm looking at my dog. I'm like, 'Who do I look at?' And they're like, ‘Just look at the one person you're marrying.’ And I'm like, ‘Okay, that makes more sense.’ "

She continued, "So, I was definitely more nervous during the rehearsal dinner than I was for the actual ceremony."

Advertisement

An instrumental version of "Oceans" played during Dupree's walk down the aisle. She was escorted by both of her parents.

The content creator, who documentsher experience living with Tourette syndrome, told PEOPLE at the time of her wedding that exchanging vows with Dooley symbolized a promise to "[show] up for one another, no matter what, every day."

"To us, marriage means choosing each other every single day," Dooley told PEOPLE. "It’s about being best friends and teammates and going through every season of life together."

"We are excited to grow together through eternity," Dupree added.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Baylen Out Loudseason 3 premiered on TLC on Tuesday, May 19.

Read the original article onPeople

byMario Satorik

in

May 21, 2026

Baylen Dupree Says She 'Almost Puked' Before Marrying Colin Dooley

Baylen Dupree wed Colin Dooley on May 9 in Warrenton, Va. NEED TO KNOW The Baylen Out Loud star admitted in a n...

Read More