British police are investigating allegations that the former prince sent confidential transaction reports to convicted American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
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Buckingham Palace said King Charles III “supports” British police as they assess reports that former Prince Andrew provided confidential information to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Monday’s statement came after police announced they were investigating reports that the former prince, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, sent transaction reports to Mr. Epstein in 2010.
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Thames Valley Police, which covers the area of west London that includes the former royal residence of Windsor, launched the investigation after news outlets reported emails suggesting the then prince had sent Epstein a report from his 2010 tour of Southeast Asia as Britain’s international trade envoy.
“The King has made clear through his words and unprecedented actions his deep concern about the allegations that continue to come to light regarding Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s conduct,” the palace said in a statement.
“The specific allegations in question will be dealt with by Mr Mountbatten-Windsor, but should Thames Valley Police contact us, as you can imagine, we stand ready to assist them.”
Thames Valley Police confirmed early Monday that they had launched an investigation following a complaint from an anti-monarchy activist.
“We can confirm receipt of this report and are evaluating the information in accordance with established procedures,” police said in a statement.
The emails from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to Epstein were included in more than 3 million pages of documents released by the US Department of Justice last month.
Correspondence unearthed in recent days appears to show that Mr Mountbatten-Windsor forwarded a copy of his report from his 2010 trip to Southeast Asia to Mr Epstein shortly after returning to the UK.
Previous emails show the former prince sharing a two-week itinerary with Mr Epstein to Hanoi, Saigon, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong.
Thames Valley Police launched an investigation after Graham Smith, chief executive of the anti-monarchy group Republic, reported Mountbatten-Windsor on suspicion of abuse of office and breaching the Official Secrets Act.
The 65-year-old former prince has faced intense scrutiny for years over his friendship with Epstein, which cost him his royal family, his title and his role in the house. Andrew has always denied wrongdoing and has not responded to requests for comment since the release of the latest Epstein files.
Al Jazeera’s Milena Veselinovic, reporting from London, said Mountbatten-Windsor was serving as Britain’s special envoy for international trade when allegations were made that she sent classified information to Epstein.
“this [allegedly] “It contains confidential memos relating to investments in Afghanistan’s Helmand province that were then funded by British taxpayers,” she explained.
the royal family is in crisis
On Monday, Britain’s royal family continued its efforts to shield itself from scandal, as Prince William and Duchess Kate released their first statements on the latest batch of Epstein files.
When Prince William traveled to Saudi Arabia for an official visit, a spokesperson said: “The Prince and Princess of Wales can confirm that they are deeply concerned by the continuing revelations. Their thoughts remain with the victims.”
The crisis facing the royal family could be seen on Monday when King Charles visited Lancashire in northwest England. While most of the audience clapped, cheered and waved British flags, one person shouted: “How long have you known Andrew?”
Last week, King Charles forced Mr Mountbatten-Windsor to vacate his longtime home at Royal Lodge near Windsor Castle, accelerating a move that was first announced in October but was expected to be completed by late this year.
The former royal is currently temporarily living at Wood Farm Cottage on the King’s Sandringham estate in eastern England. It is expected that he will then move into a more permanent home, which is currently undergoing renovations.
