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LONDON, February 9, 2026 – British police are now investigating whether Prince Andrew shared confidential trade reports with Jeffrey Epstein. The inquiry comes as Prince William’s office expressed “deep concern” over revelations stemming from documents released in the U.S. investigation into the convicted sex offender. It’s a messy situation, to say the least, and raises serious questions about the former prince’s judgment and potential breaches of protocol.
Royals Distance Themselves From Controversy
The royal family is scrambling to manage the fallout from newly released documents detailing Epstein’s network and Prince Andrew’s continued association with him.
- Thames Valley Police launched an inquiry after reports surfaced of emails suggesting Prince Andrew sent Epstein reports from a 2010 trade tour.
- Prince William and Princess Catherine voiced their “deep concern” regarding the ongoing revelations.
- King Charles III stripped Prince Andrew of his royal titles last year following earlier disclosures about his relationship with Epstein.
- The former prince is now residing on the King’s Sandringham estate while his former residence undergoes repairs.
Thames Valley Police, which covers areas west of London including Windsor—where Prince Andrew formerly resided—confirmed they are assessing information related to the alleged sharing of trade reports. The reports reportedly stemmed from a 2010 tour of Southeast Asia undertaken while he served as Britain’s envoy for international trade. An anti-monarchy campaigner reported the former prince for suspected misconduct in public office and potential breaches of the Official Secrets Act, citing the documents released last month by the U.S. Justice Department, which totaled over 3 million pages.
“We can confirm receipt of this report and are assessing the information in line with our established procedures,” the police force stated.
King Charles III took action last year, stripping his 65-year-old brother of royal titles after initial revelations about his ties to Epstein. Prince Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has consistently denied any wrongdoing concerning Epstein.
The royal family’s efforts to distance itself from the scandal continued Monday, with Prince William and Princess Catherine issuing their first statement regarding the released U.S. documents. These files expose a network of wealthy and influential individuals linked to Epstein’s exploitation of young women and girls, and demonstrate that Mountbatten-Windsor’s relationship with Epstein persisted even after the financier’s 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution.
“I can confirm that the Prince and Princess of Wales have been deeply concerned by the continued revelations,” a spokesperson said as Prince William was on an official visit to Saudi Arabia. “Their thoughts remain focused on the victims.”
The potential for public backlash was evident during King Charles’ visit to Lancashire, in northwest England, on Monday. While greeted with applause and cheers, one member of the public shouted, “How long have you known about Andrew?”
Recent reports, as journalists continue to analyze the Justice Department documents, suggest that Mountbatten-Windsor forwarded copies of his reports from the 2010 Southeast Asia tour—which included stops in Hanoi, Saigon, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Hong Kong—to Epstein shortly after his return to Britain. An earlier email reportedly shows Andrew sharing his itinerary for the two-week trip with Epstein.
Last week, King Charles compelled Mountbatten-Windsor to leave Royal Lodge near Windsor Castle, accelerating a move initially announced in October. Public criticism had grown over concerns that Mountbatten-Windsor continued to benefit from his royal status despite no longer being a working royal.
Mountbatten-Windsor is currently residing on the King’s Sandringham estate in eastern England, temporarily at Wood Farm Cottage while his permanent home on the estate is renovated. Unlike Royal Lodge, which is crown-owned and managed for public benefit, Sandringham is privately owned by the King.
Buckingham Palace Remains Silent on New Details
Charles and Queen Camilla, a long-time advocate against violence against women, have not directly commented on the newly released Epstein files. Buckingham Palace has instead referred media inquiries to a statement released last year when the scandal began to escalate.
“Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse,” the palace stated on Oct. 30, the date the King announced Prince Andrew would be stripped of his titles.
Thames Valley Police initiated its inquiry following a report from Graham Smith, chief executive of the anti-monarchy group Republic. Smith reported Mountbatten-Windsor for suspected abuse of public office and violations of Britain’s Official Secrets Act.
Smith, whose organization advocates for replacing the monarchy with an elected head of state, drew parallels between Mountbatten-Windsor’s correspondence with Epstein and earlier revelations concerning Peter Mandelson, Britain’s former ambassador to the U.S., who is also under police investigation for allegedly sharing sensitive information with Epstein. These communications were also revealed in the Justice Department documents.
“I cannot see any significant difference between these allegations and those against Peter Mandelson,” Smith posted on social media.
