Buckingham Palace says King Charles III will “support” UK police assessing reports that former Prince Andrew passed confidential information to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The statement on Monday came as police said they were investigating reports that the former prince, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, sent trading reports to Epstein in 2010.
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Thames Valley Police, which services areas west of London, including the former king’s former home in Windsor, launched the investigation after news organisations reported on emails that suggested the then-prince sent the Epstein report from a 2010 tour of Southeast Asia he took as Britain’s envoy for international trade.
“Through words and unprecedented actions, the King has expressed his deep concern at the continuing allegations regarding Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s conduct,” the palace said in a statement.
“While the specific claims in question are for Mr Mountbatten-Windsor to resolve, if Thames Valley Police contact us, we stand ready to support them as you would expect.”
Thames Valley Police confirmed earlier on Monday that it had launched an investigation following a complaint by an anti-monarchy campaigner.
“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.
Last month, the United States Department of Justice released more than three million pages of documents that included emails from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to Epstein.
Correspondence revealed in recent days shows that Mountbatten-Windsor sent copies of her report from a 2010 tour of Southeast Asia to Epstein soon after returning to Britain.
An earlier email shows the former prince sharing his itinerary for a two-week trip with Epstein to Hanoi, Saigon, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong.
Thames Valley Police launched their investigation after Graham Smith, chief executive of the anti-monarchy group Republic, reported Mountbatten-Windsor for suspected abuse of public office and breach of Britain’s Official Secrets Act.
The former prince, 65, has faced years of scrutiny over his friendship with Epstein, a relationship that led to him losing his role in the royal family, titles and household. Andrew has always denied any wrongdoing and has not responded to requests for comment since the latest release of the Epstein files.
Reporting from London, Al Jazeera’s Milena Veselinovic said Mountbatten-Windsor was acting as the United Kingdom’s international trade envoy when it was claimed she sent sensitive information to Epstein.
“It [allegedly] “includes a confidential memorandum about investments in Helmand province in Afghanistan, which at the time were being funded by the UK taxpayer,” she explained.
The royal family is in danger
The British royal family continued its efforts to distance itself from the scandal on Monday, as Prince William and Princess Catherine released their first statements about the latest batch of Epstein files.
“I can confirm that the Prince and Princess of Wales are deeply concerned by the continuing revelations,” a spokesman said during William’s visit to Saudi Arabia for an official visit. “They continue to concentrate their thoughts on the victims.”
The crisis facing the royal family was on display on Monday when King Charles visited Lancashire in northwest England. While most of the audience clapped, cheered, and waved British flags, one man shouted, “How long have you known about Andrew?”
Last week, King Charles forced Mountbatten-Windsor to leave her long-time home at Royal Lodge near Windsor Castle, accelerating a move that was first announced in October but not expected to be completed until later this year.
The former royal is now living temporarily at Wood Farm Cottage on the king’s Sandringham estate in eastern England. She is then expected to move to a more permanent home, which is currently undergoing renovation.
