Scottish police investigate visits by Epstein and ex-Prince Andrew to royal Balmoral estate
Scotland Police have launched an investigation into the time the former Prince Andrew spent with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, at the king’s Balmoral estate.
Police Scotland said the inquiries began after receiving “information” and confirmed the probe is at a “very early stage”.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's conduct has MPs demanding more transparency. AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth
Scottish authorities provided no further detail about the nature of the information or what specific offences officers are investigating.
The Daily Express, which first reported the investigation, said the inquiries relate to claims that women were trafficked to the king’s private estate in the Scottish Highlands.
“All inquiries are evidence-led, with the needs of victim survivors at the heart of those inquiries,” Police Scotland said in a statement.
“We would never confirm details of ongoing inquiries, and it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
The investigation comes after the US Department of Justice released files that included photographs appearing to show Epstein and Maxwell on a shooting trip at Balmoral in 1999.
The images were among millions of pages published earlier this year as Congress probed Epstein’s links to global politicians, business leaders, and other influential figures.
The presence of anyone’s name or image in the files does not establish proof of wrongdoing.
Several other UK police forces, including London’s Metropolitan Police Service, Thames Valley Police, and Surrey Police, are also investigating information released in the Epstein files.
The photograph appearing to show Prince Andrew with Virginia Roberts Giuffre and, in the background, Ghislaine Maxwell who has repeated her claims the image is a fake. CNN
Thames Valley officers arrested the former prince, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office based on details in the Epstein files.
King Charles III’s younger brother, 66, was held for several hours before being released on police bail pending further investigation.
The Thames Valley force covers the area west of London that includes Windsor Castle and Mountbatten-Windsor’s former home nearby.
The historic action marked the first arrest of a senior British royal in nearly four centuries.
Mountbatten-Windsor has repeatedly denied committing any crimes.
His ties to Epstein have caused headaches for Britain’s royal family for almost two decades.
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With US authorities preparing to release documents related to their long-running Epstein investigation, the king moved late last year to shield the monarchy from the scandal by stripping his brother of his princely title.
Mountbatten-Windsor was also ordered to vacate the Royal Lodge, his longtime home near Windsor Castle, and now lives at a house on Sandringham, the king’s privately owned estate in England’s east.
Mountbatten-Windsor’s reputation has been tarnished by his association with Epstein ever since 2008, when the wealthy American financier pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution.
In 2011, the late Virginia Giuffre alleged that she had been trafficked by Epstein and forced to have sex with Mountbatten-Windsor when she was 17. He has denied the accusations.
Mountbatten-Windsor sought to put the scandal to rest with a lengthy BBC interview in 2019, but the move backfired after drawing fierce criticism for his explanations and his failure to show empathy for Epstein’s victims.
- With Associated Press
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