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King Charles III has expressed willingness to support police investigating allegations that his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, shared confidential information with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Buckingham Palace announced Monday.
Thames Valley Police confirmed they are “assessing” reports that the former royal sent trade documents to Epstein in 2010. The investigation follows recent media revelations of emails suggesting Mountbatten-Windsor forwarded confidential reports from his Southeast Asia tour while serving as Britain’s international trade envoy.
“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 stated. “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 palace emphasized that “Their Majesties’ thoughts and sympathies have been, and remain with, the victims of any and all forms of abuse,” reflecting ongoing efforts by the royal family to distance themselves from the scandal.
The investigation began after Graham Smith, chief executive of the anti-monarchy group Republic, reported Mountbatten-Windsor for suspected misconduct in public office and potential violations of Britain’s Official Secrets Act. Smith compared these allegations to similar concerns about Peter Mandelson, Britain’s former ambassador to the U.S., who is also under police investigation for allegedly sharing sensitive information with Epstein.
The emails in question were among more than three million pages of documents released last month by the U.S. Justice Department. These files expose the network of influential people Epstein used to exploit young women and girls, and indicate that Mountbatten-Windsor maintained a close relationship with Epstein even after the financier’s 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution.
King Charles III has taken several steps to distance the monarchy from his brother’s controversies. Last year, he stripped his 65-year-old brother of his royal titles following earlier revelations about his relationship with Epstein. More recently, the king accelerated Mountbatten-Windsor’s departure from his longtime residence at Royal Lodge near Windsor Castle.
Mountbatten-Windsor has now relocated to Wood Farm Cottage on the king’s privately owned Sandringham estate in eastern England, where he will stay temporarily while his permanent home on the estate undergoes renovations. This move represents a significant downgrade from Royal Lodge, which is crown property managed for public benefit.
The Prince and Princess of Wales also broke their silence on the matter as Prince William traveled to Saudi Arabia for an official visit. A spokesperson stated: “I can confirm that the Prince and Princess of Wales have been deeply concerned by the continued revelations. Their thoughts remain focused on the victims.”
The royal family’s vulnerability to public scrutiny over the scandal was evident during King Charles’s visit to Lancashire in northwest England on Monday. While most spectators greeted him enthusiastically, at least one person in the crowd shouted, “How long have you known about Andrew?”
According to recent revelations, correspondence shows Mountbatten-Windsor apparently forwarded copies of his official reports from a 2010 tour of Southeast Asia to Epstein shortly after returning to Britain. Another email suggests he shared his itinerary for the two-week trip to Hanoi, Saigon, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Hong Kong with Epstein before departing.
Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein, but the continued revelations and police assessment represent an ongoing challenge for the royal family as they attempt to manage the fallout from this damaging association.
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7 Comments
The King’s willingness to assist the police inquiry is a positive step. However, the public will be closely watching to ensure a thorough, independent investigation without any royal interference or influence.
Interesting development. It’s important the King supports any investigation into potential misconduct, especially given the gravity of the Epstein allegations. Transparency and accountability are crucial for public trust in the monarchy.
The Epstein scandal has already caused immense damage to the monarchy’s reputation. Decisive action and transparency from the King will be crucial to rebuilding public trust and restoring the institution’s integrity.
Given the concerning nature of the allegations, I’m glad to see the King pledging the royal family’s full cooperation. Uncovering the truth must be the top priority, regardless of the potential implications for the monarchy.
This is a complex and sensitive situation, but the King’s pledge of support for the investigation is a step in the right direction. The public deserves to know the full truth, no matter where it leads.
This is a sensitive issue that requires a careful, impartial investigation. The royal family should cooperate fully to uncover the truth and address any wrongdoing, while also respecting due process and the victims’ privacy.
The Epstein scandal has cast a long shadow over the royal family. The King’s willingness to cooperate with the police inquiry is a necessary move, but the real test will be how thoroughly and fairly the investigation is conducted.