Scottish Police Investigate Jeffrey Epstein's Stays at Balmoral with Prince Andrew

Scottish police have launched an investigation into the time convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein spent with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor at Balmoral, the private royal estate in Scotland frequented by the monarchy. A Police Scotland spokesperson confirmed to CNN on Friday that "information has been received and active enquiries are ongoing, but these are at a very early stage," declining to provide further details. The spokesperson emphasized that "all enquiries are evidence-led, with the needs of victim survivors at the heart of those enquiries" and that it would be inappropriate to comment further on ongoing investigations.

The Daily Express reported that the investigation is linked to allegations of women being "trafficked" to Balmoral. Since the release of the Epstein files, Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew until his titles were stripped by his brother King Charles III, has faced numerous allegations concerning his association with the late sex offender. He was previously arrested and interviewed under caution on suspicion of misconduct in public office in February before being released. This scandal has further damaged Mountbatten-Windsor’s reputation and created a crisis for Britain’s royal family.

Photographs previously released by US prosecutors in 2021 appear to show Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, his associate who is currently serving a sentence in a US federal prison for sex trafficking and other crimes, at Balmoral in 1999. Buckingham Palace has consistently stated that it does not comment on active police investigations and does not speak for Mountbatten-Windsor. Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied any wrongdoing in his dealings with Epstein. Police have indicated that their investigation into misconduct in public office, related to his tenure as a trade envoy for Britain, remains active.