A 22-year-old man who molested Prince Andrew while walking behind the coffin of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in Edinburgh will not be prosecuted, the Crown Office said on Tuesday.
“After a full and careful consideration of all the facts and circumstances, the case was handled through an offer of an alternative to prosecution,” a spokesman said.
The incident occurred as Andrew, the Queen’s second son, was walking in the procession from the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh to St Giles’ Cathedral on September 12.
As it passed, a heckler called Andrew a “sick old man” in reference to his ties to American pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein and allegations of underage sex.
Andrew, who denied the claims, settled a US civil suit in February for an undisclosed sum.
The protester was then seen being bundled away by police. Shortly thereafter, he was arrested and charged with public order offences.
Alternatives to prosecution may include warnings, work orders, fines, and compensation orders.
But the Crown Office, which initiates prosecutions in Scotland, said it could not say which alternative was used in the case.
Prosecutors also said no action would be taken against a woman who held an anti-monarchy sign ahead of the formal declaration in Edinburgh that the Queen’s son Charles was now king.
The woman, also 22, was arrested on September 11 outside St Giles’ Cathedral.
“After careful consideration of the facts and circumstances of the case, including the available admissible evidence, the prosecution has determined that no proceedings should be instituted at this time,” the Crown Office said.
“The Crown reserves the right to proceed in the future where appropriate and in the public interest.”
British police have been criticized by civil rights groups for their treatment of anti-monarchy protesters who questioned Charles’ automatic accession to the throne.
Other protesters during the Queen’s official 10-day national mourning have been dragged on and threatened with arrest.
The Queen died aged 96 on September 8 at her Scottish Highlands retreat of Balmoral after a year of failing health.
