Buckingham Palace has stated that King Charles III will “support” UK police as they assess reports that former Prince Andrew shared confidential information with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The announcement comes amid renewed scrutiny of Andrew’s relationship with Epstein following the release of court documents earlier this month.
Thames Valley Police confirmed on Monday that This proves reviewing information suggesting Andrew may have passed confidential reports to Epstein while serving as the UK’s special representative for international trade and investment over a decade ago. The police action was prompted by a complaint from an anti-monarchy campaigner.
A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace said, “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 emphasized that while the specific claims are a matter for Andrew to address, they “stand ready to support” the police if requested. The statement reiterated the royal family’s sympathy for victims of abuse.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was spotted riding a horse near Royal Lodge last week. (Reuters: Toby Melville)
The renewed crisis surrounding the Epstein files has engulfed both the monarchy and Westminster. Prince William and Princess Kate also publicly addressed the scandal on Monday, expressing their “deeply concerned” by the revelations and stating their thoughts remain with the victims. This marked their first public comment on the matter since the latest release of documents.
The allegations center around Andrew potentially sharing confidential trade reports with Epstein during a 2010 tour of Southeast Asia. Trade envoys are typically prohibited from disclosing sensitive or commercial information due to confidentiality rules. The released files included a lawyer’s letter alleging Andrew and Epstein pressured a woman hired as an exotic dancer for sex as part of a threesome in 2006, as well as photos and emails inviting Epstein to Buckingham Palace for a private meeting.
Last week, police confirmed they were reviewing a new allegation against Andrew, triggered by the released files, involving a woman allegedly taken to an address in Windsor near London, where Andrew resides.
Andrew was stripped of his royal titles and honors by King Charles III late last year following the publication of claims made by Virginia Giuffre, who alleged she was trafficked to have sex with the former prince on three occasions, including when she was 17. Andrew has repeatedly denied these allegations and settled a lawsuit with Ms. Giuffre in 2022. Ms. Giuffre died by suicide in Western Australia in 2025.
The former prince recently moved out of his Windsor home earlier than planned, coinciding with the latest revelations. King Charles III was heckled on Monday during a visit to Lancashire by a member of the public questioning his knowledge of Andrew’s association with Epstein, though he did not react.
An undated photo released by the US Department of Justice shows Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor leaning over an unidentified person. (US Department of Justice via AP)
