LONDON (AP) – Investigation into Prince Andrew’s Emails
British police are looking into allegations that former Prince Andrew shared confidential transaction reports with Jeffrey Epstein. This follows concerns raised by Prince William’s office regarding findings from an ongoing U.S. investigation into Epstein, who was notorious for his criminal activities.
The Thames Valley Police, responsible for the area around Windsor, initiated this inquiry after media sources reported that Andrew had sent Epstein a report from his 2010 tour in Southeast Asia, during his time as Britain’s international trade envoy.
Campaigners against the monarchy have accused Andrew of misconduct and violating Britain’s Official Secrets Act, citing emails that surfaced in a recent release of over three million pages of documents by the U.S. Department of Justice.
In their statement, the police confirmed they received this report and are assessing it according to standard procedures.
Last year, King Charles III removed his brother’s royal title amidst earlier revelations about Andrew’s ties to Epstein. Andrew, now referred to as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has consistently denied any wrongdoing connected to Epstein.
The royal family is trying to distance itself from the scandal. Prince William and Duchess Kate expressed their concerns over the newly released documents, which illustrate Epstein’s network of influential individuals exploiting vulnerable women and girls, and indicate that Mountbatten-Windsor maintained close links with Epstein even after the latter was convicted in 2008 of sexual offenses against a minor.
On a recent trip to Saudi Arabia, a spokesperson remarked that the Prince and Princess of Wales are “deeply concerned” about ongoing revelations, adding their thoughts are with the victims.
The royal family’s turmoil was apparent when King Charles visited Lancashire. While the crowd generally supported him, one individual shouted a pointed question, asking, “How long have you known Andrew?”
As the scrutiny continues, new correspondence suggests that Mountbatten-Windsor forwarded his report from the 2010 Southeast Asia trip to Epstein shortly after returning to the UK. Prior emails also show him sharing a detailed itinerary for his travels to various Southeast Asian cities.
Recently, the King compelled Andrew to vacate his long-time residence at the Royal Lodge near Windsor Castle, a move that had been anticipated since October but was expedited due to rising public dissatisfaction over his living arrangements amidst the scandal.
Currently, Mountbatten-Windsor resides at the King’s Sandringham estate in eastern England, temporarily living in Wood Farm Cottage while repairs are underway in his designated permanent home. Unlike the Royal Lodge, owned and managed for the taxpayers’ benefit, Sandringham is privately held by the Crown.
Prince Charles and Queen Camilla, who have a history of advocating against violence toward women, have not directly commented on the latest Epstein disclosures. Instead, Buckingham Palace referenced statements made by the royal couple last year when the scandal began to unfold.
In a statement from October 30, coinciding with the announcement of Andrew’s title removal, Buckingham Palace emphasized their sympathy for victims and survivors of abuse.
The investigation by Thames Valley Police was prompted by a report from Graham Smith, head of the anti-monarchy group Republic. Smith’s organization seeks to replace the monarchy with an elected leader and equated Mountbatten-Windsor’s correspondence with Epstein to previous scandals involving former British ambassador Peter Mandelson, who is also under police scrutiny for potentially sharing confidential information with Epstein.
Smith expressed on social media that he sees no substantial difference between these allegations and those against Mandelson.
