King
Charles will support police assessing Andrew's Epstein links
7:52am
https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/02/10/king-charles-will-support-police-assessing-andrews-epstein-links/
King
Charles III is ready to “support’’ UK police examining claims that the former
Prince Andrew gave confidential information to convicted sex offender Jeffrey
Epstein, Buckingham Palace said on Monday.
The
statement came after police said they were “assessing” reports that the former
prince, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, sent trade reports to Epstein
in 2010.
Thames
Valley Police, which serves areas west of London, including
Mountbatten-Windsor’s former home in Windsor, launched the inquiry after news
organisations reported that recently uncovered emails suggest that the
then-prince sent Epstein reports from a tour of Southeast Asia he took as
Britain’s envoy for international trade.
“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 king
also repeated his concerns, and those of Queen Camilla, for the victims of
Epstein’s abuse.
“As was
previously stated, Their Majesties’ thoughts and sympathies have been, and
remain with, the victims of any and all forms of abuse,’’ the palace said.
An
anti-monarchy campaigner earlier said he had reported the former prince for
suspected misconduct in public office and breaches of Britain’s Official
Secrets Act as a result of the emails, which were among the more than 3 million
pages of documents released last month by the US Justice Department.
“We can
confirm receipt of this report and are assessing the information in line with
our established procedures,” the police force said in a statement.
Royals
seek to distance themselves
King
Charles III last year stripped his 65-year-old brother of his royal titles
after earlier revelations about his relationship with Epstein. The former
prince, now known simply as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has denied all
wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.
The royal
family today continued its effort to insulate itself from the scandal, as
Prince William and Princess Catherine issued their first statement about the
documents released by the US. The files reveal the web of rich, powerful people
Epstein used to exploit young women and girls, and show that
Mountbatten-Windsor’s close relationship with Epstein continued even after the
financier was convicted of soliciting a minor for prostitution in 2008.
“I can
confirm that the Prince and Princess of Wales have been deeply concerned by the
continued revelations,’’ a spokesperson said as William travelled to Saudi
Arabia for an official visit. “Their thoughts remain focused on the victims.”
The
jeopardy faced by the royal family could be seen Monday when King Charles
visited Lancashire, in northwest England. While most of the public clapped,
cheered and waved British flags, one person shouted, “How long have you known
about Andrew?”
Correspondence
unearthed in recent days, as reporters continue to comb through the documents,
appears to show that Mountbatten-Windsor forwarded copies of his reports from a
2010 tour of Southeast Asia to Epstein soon after he returned to Britain. An
earlier email appears to show Andrew sharing his itinerary for the two-week
trip to Hanoi, Saigon, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong with Epstein.
The king
last week forced Mountbatten-Windsor to leave his longtime home at Royal Lodge
near Windsor Castle, accelerating a move that was first announced in October
but wasn’t expected to be completed until later this year. Anger over
Mountbatten-Windsor’s living arrangements had grown amid concern that he was
still reaping rewards from his status as a royal even though he is no longer a
working member of the royal family.
Mountbatten-Windsor
is now living on the king’s Sandringham estate in eastern England. He will live
temporarily at Wood Farm Cottage while his permanent home on the estate
undergoes repairs. Unlike Royal Lodge, which is owned by the crown and managed
for the benefit of taxpayers, Sandringham is owned privately by the king.
Anti-monarchist
reported Andrew
Thames
Valley Police began its inquiry after Graham Smith, chief executive of the
anti-monarchy group Republic, reported Mountbatten-Windsor for suspected abuse
of public office and violations of Britain’s Official Secrets Act.
Smith,
whose group seeks to replace the king with an elected head of state, compared
Mountbatten-Windsor’s correspondence with Epstein to earlier revelations about
Peter Mandelson, Britain’s former ambassador to the US, who is already the
subject of a police investigation into whether he shared sensitive information
with Epstein. Those communications were also revealed in the Justice Department
documents.

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