Buckingham Palace says the monarchy will assist authorities if investigators seek information related to allegations involving the king’s younger brother and the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Britain’s King Charles III has indicated that the royal family will cooperate fully if police pursue inquiries into renewed allegations concerning his brother, Prince Andrew, and his past contacts with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
In a statement issued Monday, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said the king has made clear “in words and through unprecedented actions” his concern about allegations that continue to surface regarding Andrew’s conduct. While emphasizing that the specific claims are for Andrew to address personally, the palace said it would support law enforcement if contacted. “If we are approached by Thames Valley Police we stand ready to support them as you would expect,” the spokesperson said.
The statement came after Thames Valley Police confirmed it is assessing new information suggesting that Andrew, whose formal name is Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, may have shared confidential government material with Epstein while serving as a British trade envoy. The force, which covers areas west of London, said the material is being reviewed under standard procedures to determine whether it meets the threshold for a formal criminal investigation.
Police told CBS News that the information is being examined “in line with our established procedures.” The referral reportedly originated from Republic, an anti-monarchy advocacy group, which said it submitted information tied to documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice as part of a broader disclosure of Epstein-related records.
Epstein, who was convicted of soliciting sex from a minor and later accused of child sex trafficking, died in federal custody in New York City in 2019. His death was ruled a suicide.
According to Republic, the latest allegations differ from earlier Epstein-related claims that centered on Andrew’s personal associations. Instead, the group alleges suspected misconduct in public office and potential violations of laws governing the handling of official secrets, offenses that can carry serious penalties under British law.
Documents cited in the complaint reportedly include email correspondence released by the Justice Department on Jan. 30. Those emails are said to show Andrew forwarding official reports from trade-related travel in Asia—including visits to Singapore, Hong Kong, and Vietnam—to Epstein.
One email chain described by CBS News indicates that on Nov. 30, 2010, shortly after returning from Asia, Andrew forwarded official reports sent to him by then–special adviser Amit Patel to Epstein within minutes of receiving them, without adding commentary. Another exchange from the following month appears to show Andrew sharing what he described as “a confidential brief” concerning potential investment opportunities in southern Afghanistan, where British forces were stationed at the time. In that message, he reportedly told Epstein he was seeking “comments, views or ideas as to whom I could also usefully show this to attract some interest.”
Andrew has denied wrongdoing and has not been charged in connection with Epstein-related allegations involving young women.
The developments also prompted comment from the next generation of the royal family. Prince William and Catherine, the Prince and Princess of Wales, addressed the matter publicly for the first time on Monday, saying they were “deeply concerned by the continuing revelations” and that “their thoughts remain focused on the victims.”
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