London (TDI): Britain’s Prince William and his wife, Kate, said on Monday they were deeply troubled by the latest disclosures linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as renewed scrutiny falls on Prince Andrew, the Duke of York.
Andrew, the younger brother of King Charles, has once again come under the spotlight following the release of millions of documents connected to Epstein, whose network and associations continue to raise serious questions years after his death. The duke had already been sidelined from royal life because of his relationship with Epstein.
While King Charles and Queen Camilla had earlier expressed sympathy for victims and survivors of abuse, the statement from the Prince and Princess of Wales marks the strongest public response so far from the royal family on the matter.
A spokesperson for William and Kate said the couple were “deeply concerned by the continuing revelations” and that their thoughts remained firmly with the victims. The comment came ahead of Prince William’s scheduled visit to Riyadh.
Prince Andrew, 65, has long denied wrongdoing but has faced sustained criticism over his association with Epstein. In 2022, he reached a settlement in a civil lawsuit brought by Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexually abusing her when she was a teenager. Giuffre died by suicide in April.
Andrew stepped back from public duties in 2019, later lost his royal patronages and titles, and was removed from his royal residence. Last week, he was reportedly forced to vacate his remaining royal home.
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Fresh controversy has emerged following the release of emails contained in newly published US court files, which suggest Andrew may have shared official British trade documents with Epstein in 2010, after Epstein’s conviction for child sex offences. At the time, Andrew was serving as a UK trade envoy, a role that normally requires strict confidentiality.
The documents appear to show that Andrew forwarded reports related to countries such as Vietnam and Singapore, raising concerns about a possible breach of official protocols.
British police said they are now assessing allegations of misconduct in public office linked to the disclosures. Thames Valley Police confirmed they had received a report and were reviewing the information in line with established procedures.
The complaint was submitted by anti-monarchy campaigner Graham Smith, head of the group Republic, after the emails appeared among the newly released Epstein-related files. Police have also confirmed they are examining a separate allegation involving Andrew and a woman taken to an address in Windsor.
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The fallout from the Epstein documents has also extended beyond the royal family, engulfing Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government. Starmer has faced criticism for appointing Peter Mandelson, who was acquainted with Epstein, as Britain’s ambassador to the United States.
Like Andrew, Mandelson is alleged to have shared sensitive government material with Epstein during 2009 and 2010. Police are investigating claims of misconduct in public office linked to those disclosures.
The continuing release of Epstein-related material has intensified political and public pressure in Britain, as authorities work to determine whether any criminal wrongdoing occurred.
