LONDON — British police are now investigating claims that Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, shared confidential trade reports with Jeffrey Epstein, as the fallout from the recently released Epstein files continues to reverberate through the UK’s political and royal spheres. The inquiry was launched following a formal report filed by an anti-monarchy campaigner, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing scandal.
Thames Valley Police confirmed they are “assessing the information” contained within the report, which centers on emails suggesting the then-Prince Andrew forwarded documents from a 2010 trade tour of Southeast Asia to Epstein shortly after his return to the UK. The tour encompassed visits to Hanoi, Saigon, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Hong Kong, and the emails reportedly included Andrew’s itinerary for the two-week trip.
The police action comes as Prince William and Princess Catherine publicly expressed their “deeply concerned” reaction to the revelations emerging from the U.S. Justice Department’s release of over 3 million pages of documents related to Epstein’s crimes. A spokesperson for the Prince and Princess of Wales stated their “thoughts remain focused on the victims,” signaling a clear attempt by the royal family to distance itself from the controversy.
The situation highlights the widening repercussions of the Epstein files, which have implicated a network of powerful individuals. King Charles III stripped Prince Andrew of his royal titles last year in response to earlier revelations about his association with Epstein, and recently compelled his brother to vacate Royal Lodge, his longtime residence near Windsor Castle. The move, initially announced in October, was expedited amid growing public concern that Andrew continued to benefit from his royal status despite no longer being a working royal.
Andrew has since relocated to Wood Farm Cottage on the King’s Sandringham estate in eastern England, while his permanent home on the estate undergoes repairs. This move is significant as Sandringham is privately owned by the King, unlike Royal Lodge, which is managed for the benefit of taxpayers.
The royal family’s efforts to contain the damage were visibly challenged during King Charles’s visit to Lancashire on Monday, where a member of the public audibly questioned him about his knowledge of Andrew’s relationship with Epstein. This incident underscores the public scrutiny the royal family is facing as more details emerge from the Epstein files.
The allegations against Prince Andrew echo similar concerns raised regarding Peter Mandelson, Britain’s former ambassador to the U.S., who is also under police investigation for allegedly sharing sensitive information with Epstein. Graham Smith, chief executive of the anti-monarchy group Republic, who filed the report against Prince Andrew, drew a parallel between the two cases, stating he saw “no significant difference” between the allegations.
Buckingham Palace has largely refrained from direct comment on the newly released Epstein files, instead reiterating a statement released last year when the scandal initially escalated. The statement expressed the King and Queen Camilla’s “utmost sympathies” with the victims and survivors of abuse.
The timing of these developments coincides with Prince William’s official visit to Saudi Arabia, where he is expected to focus on matters of state. However, the shadow of the Epstein revelations is likely to follow him, highlighting the pervasive impact of the scandal on the British royal family and its international standing.
The ongoing scrutiny of the Epstein files is not merely a legal or political matter; it represents a broader reckoning with issues of power, privilege, and accountability. As reporters continue to sift through the released documents, further revelations are anticipated, potentially exposing additional connections between Epstein and prominent figures in British society.
The police investigation into Prince Andrew’s alleged sharing of trade reports marks a significant escalation in the fallout from the Epstein scandal. It remains to be seen what the investigation will uncover, but it underscores the far-reaching consequences of Epstein’s crimes and the enduring questions they raise about the conduct of those who associated with him.
