The police investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor could expand to look into potential corruption offences, according to reports.
Police sources told The Times that Mr Mountbatten-Windsor is set to face a wider investigation, including potential corruption offences, as well an inquiry into alleged sex trafficking.
The former prince was last month arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office following allegations he shared sensitive information with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein during his time as a trade envoy.
He spent around 11 hours in custody last month as searches were conducted at his home on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk and at his former home, Royal Lodge in Windsor, Berkshire.
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor served as the UK’s special representative for international trade and investment from 2001 until 2011.
According to The Times, detectives at Thames Valley police are expanding their investigation beyond that alleged offence. Mr Mountbatten-Windsor has always vehemently denied any wrongdoing in relation to his relationship with Epstein.
A police source told the newspaper: “The legal bar for Mipo (misconduct in public office) is high. 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 offences.”
Thames Valley Police (TVP) and representatives of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor have been approached for comment.
TVP previously said the force was also reviewing allegations that a woman was sent to the UK by Jeffrey Epstein to have a sexual encounter with Mr Mountbatten-Windsor.
Emails between Mr Mountbatten-Windsor and Epstein reportedly show that he and Epstein were still exchanging messages until at least late February 2011.
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s ties to the convicted paedophile eventually forced him to step down from his royal duties, and in January 2022, he was stripped of his royal patronages.
He was then stripped of his remaining royal titles in October 2025 and was forced to leave his Windsor home, Royal Lodge, to relocate to a smaller privately funded address in Sandringham, Norfolk.
Ministers have agreed to release files related to his appointment to the trade envoy role, as the former prince was described as “a rude, arrogant and entitled man”.
In the commons, trade minister Sir Chris Bryant described him as “a man on a constant self-aggrandising and self-enriching hustle” and “a rude, arrogant and entitled man who could not distinguish between the public interest, which he said he served, and his own private interest”.
However, MPs were told the government is unable to publish material that police need for their inquiries until officers are “satisfied”.
