Buckingham Palace on Monday, , said it “stands ready” to support a police investigation into the conduct of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the younger brother of King Charles III, following the emergence of further claims regarding his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Thames Valley Police confirmed it is assessing allegations that Andrew may have passed confidential information to Epstein during his time as the U.K.’s trade envoy.
The scrutiny follows the release of emails, reported by the BBC, appearing to show Andrew forwarding official trade reports to Epstein. These include a report from November 2010, sent by his then-special assistant Amit Patel, detailing official trade visits. The anti-monarchy group Republic has formally reported the matter to the police, citing suspected misconduct in public office and a potential breach of the Official Secrets Act.
“We can confirm receipt of this report and are assessing the information in line with our established procedures,” a Thames Valley Police spokesperson stated.
Andrew, who was stripped of his royal titles by King Charles last year, has consistently denied any wrongdoing. Buckingham Palace emphasized the King’s concern regarding the ongoing allegations. “The King has made clear, in words and through unprecedented actions, his profound concern at allegations which continue to come to light in respect of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s conduct,” the Palace said in a statement. “While the specific claims in question are for Mr Mountbatten-Windsor to address, if we are approached by Thames Valley Police we stand ready to support them as you would expect.”
The statement continued, “As was previously stated, Their Majesties’ [Charles and Camilla] thoughts and sympathies have been and remain with, the victims of any and all forms of abuse.” This followed an incident earlier on Monday in which King Charles was heckled by members of the public during a visit to Clitheroe, Lancashire, with questions raised about his knowledge of Andrew’s relationship with Epstein.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate Middleton, also issued a statement expressing their concern. Kensington Palace stated that the Prince and Princess had been “deeply concerned by the continuing revelations” and that their thoughts remained with the victims.
The renewed controversy comes as further documents related to the Epstein case are released as part of a U.S. Congress inquiry. The ongoing disclosures have placed significant pressure on the British monarchy and the government. The eviction of Andrew from Royal Lodge, near Windsor Castle, earlier this week, and his relocation to King Charles’s private estate at Sandringham, has been interpreted by some as an attempt to further isolate him from public life.
The scandal has also reverberated within the U.K. Political landscape. Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced criticism over a previous decision to appoint Peter Mandelson, a figure with past links to Epstein, as the U.K.’s ambassador to the United States. While Mandelson was subsequently removed from the position, Starmer’s judgment was questioned by both opposition parties and members of his own Labour Party. Anas Sarwar, leader of the Scottish Labour Party, publicly called for Starmer’s resignation.
However, Starmer received support from his Cabinet, with ministers expressing confidence in his leadership. The situation underscores the far-reaching implications of the Epstein case, extending beyond the immediate individuals involved to encompass the highest levels of British public life.
The release of questionable photos of Andrew, appearing to show him crouched over a woman lying on the floor, alongside the newly released emails, has intensified the scrutiny. The timing of these disclosures, coinciding with King Charles’s efforts to establish his authority and navigate a period of transition for the monarchy, adds another layer of complexity to the situation. The Palace’s swift response, offering support to the police investigation and reiterating its sympathy for the victims, suggests a determination to address the issue decisively and mitigate further damage to the institution’s reputation.
