Palace Signals Cooperation as Fresh Questions Emerge Over Prince Andrew and Epstein Links

Buckingham Palace has said it is prepared to assist UK police with any inquiry involving the king’s younger brother following renewed scrutiny over his past associations and alleged conduct. The statement comes after newly released documents raised questions about whether Prince Andrew may have shared confidential government material with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein during his time as a trade envoy.

The palace said the monarch had made his concerns clear regarding allegations that continue to surface. According to officials, the focus remains on supporting due process while expressing sympathy for victims of abuse. The comments were widely interpreted as an attempt to draw a firm line between the wider royal household and the actions of the king’s brother, who has already been removed from public duties and royal life.

At the centre of the latest controversy are emails contained within a large cache of newly released Epstein related documents in the United States. The correspondence appears to suggest that Prince Andrew forwarded briefings and reports concerning trade matters and overseas visits to Epstein in 2010. At the time, Andrew was serving in an official role promoting British trade interests abroad, a position that typically comes with strict confidentiality rules.

Trade envoys are not permitted to share sensitive or commercially relevant information with private individuals. The material referenced in the emails reportedly included documents linked to countries such as Vietnam and Singapore. Prince Andrew has consistently denied wrongdoing in relation to his relationship with Epstein and has not issued a public response since the latest documents became public.

Thames Valley Police confirmed that the matter has been brought to its attention and that officers are assessing whether the threshold has been met to open a formal investigation. The palace said it would cooperate fully if contacted by police, adding that responsibility for addressing the specific claims rests with Andrew himself.

The renewed focus on the duke has prompted further signals of concern from within the royal family. A spokesperson for Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton said their thoughts remain with victims of abuse, underlining the sensitivity of the issue for the monarchy as an institution. Their remarks came as William prepared for an overseas visit, with the timing seen by observers as a deliberate message.

Prince Andrew stepped back from royal duties in 2019 after public backlash over his friendship with Epstein. Since then, he has faced a steady erosion of his status. He settled a civil lawsuit in the United States in 2022 brought by Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexual abuse when she was a teenager. Andrew denied the allegations and did not admit liability as part of the settlement.

In recent months, the distancing has intensified. King Charles removed Andrew’s use of the prince title and required him to vacate his royal residence. Despite these steps, the ongoing revelations have continued to shadow the monarchy, highlighting the lasting impact of the Epstein scandal and the challenge it poses to public trust.