King Charles ‘ready to support’ police as claims resurface over Prince Andrew’s ties to Epstein

King Charles has signaled his willingness to cooperate with British police as authorities assess fresh allegations that his brother, Prince Andrew, shared confidential information with the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during his time as a UK trade envoy.

The statement from Buckingham Palace follows renewed scrutiny triggered by recently released files from the US Department of Justice, which appear to detail correspondence between Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Epstein in the years after Epstein’s criminal conviction.

On Monday, Thames Valley Police confirmed they were reviewing a report alleging potential misconduct in public office and breaches of official secrecy laws by the former prince. The report was submitted by Graham Smith, chief executive of the anti-monarchist campaign group Republic, who said he had asked police to investigate Andrew’s conduct while acting in an official capacity for the British government.

“We can confirm receipt of this report and are assessing the information in line with our established procedures,” a spokesperson for the force said.

Buckingham Palace distances the monarch

Later the same day, Buckingham Palace moved to distance the King from the allegations, while emphasizing his readiness to cooperate with law enforcement if requested.

A palace spokesperson said King Charles had “made clear, in words and through unprecedented actions, his profound concern at allegations which continue to come to light in respect of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s conduct.”

“While the specific claims in question are for Mr Mountbatten-Windsor to address,” the spokesperson added, “if we are approached by Thames Valley Police we stand ready to support them as you would expect.”

The language underscores the continued effort by the royal household to draw a clear line between the monarch and his younger brother, who has long since withdrawn from public duties amid the fallout from his association with Epstein.

Allegations linked to trade envoy role

The latest tranche of DOJ documents appears to show that Andrew shared travel itineraries, visit reports and what he described as “confidential briefs” with Epstein during and after overseas trips undertaken in his role as a UK trade envoy.

Andrew served as a government-appointed trade envoy from 2001 until stepping down in 2011, a period during which he was tasked with promoting British commercial interests abroad. Although the role does not confer civil servant status, it does carry strict obligations regarding confidentiality.

According to a terms-of-appointment document published by the British parliament in 2023, trade envoys are bound by a continuing “duty of confidentiality” that covers sensitive commercial and political information, even after their tenure ends. The document also states that the Official Secrets Acts of 1911 and 1989 apply to the role.

It remains unclear whether the information Andrew allegedly shared meets the legal threshold of being commercially or politically sensitive.

Emails raise fresh questions

Among the documents released by US authorities are emails dating back to 2010, in which Epstein requested details about Andrew’s upcoming trip to Asia. Andrew subsequently sent an itinerary covering visits to Vietnam, Singapore and Hong Kong.

After the trip concluded, Andrew forwarded visit reports to Epstein that had originally been sent to him by his then-special adviser, Amit Patel. The overseas visit itself was listed in official financial disclosures published by the royal household.

In December 2010, Andrew also appears to have sent Epstein what he labeled a “confidential brief” related to potential investment opportunities in Afghanistan’s Helmand province, where British troops were operating at the time.

In that email, Andrew wrote that he would be “very interested” in Epstein’s views and suggestions on whom else the material could be shown to in order to “attract some interest.”

Other correspondence from 2009 shows Andrew discussing meetings with financial figures and seeking Epstein’s input on Middle Eastern opportunities, further fueling criticism over the nature and persistence of their relationship.

Andrew denies wrongdoing

Prince Andrew has previously denied any wrongdoing connected to Epstein and has not publicly responded to the latest allegations. CNN has contacted him for comment.

In a widely criticized 2019 BBC Newsnight interview, Andrew said he had traveled to New York in 2010 to sever ties with Epstein following his conviction for sex offenses.

“I went there with the sole purpose of saying to him that because he had been convicted, it was inappropriate for us to be seen together,” Andrew said at the time.

However, the newly released emails appear to contradict that account, suggesting ongoing communication after the visit.

Wider fallout in British public life

Andrew is not the only prominent British figure facing renewed scrutiny following the release of the Epstein files.

Peter Mandelson, the former UK ambassador to the United States and a senior Labour Party figure, resigned from the House of Lords last week after documents appeared to show he shared market-sensitive government information with Epstein in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis.

British police confirmed they had raided two properties linked to Mandelson on Friday as part of an investigation into suspected misconduct in public office. Mandelson has previously acknowledged that he was “wrong” to continue associating with Epstein after his conviction.

The developments have added to growing pressure on institutions already grappling with public trust concerns.

Royals emphasize concern for victims

The latest revelations come shortly after Andrew vacated his longtime residence near Windsor, amid mounting public and political pressure.

On Monday, a spokesperson for Kensington Palace said the Prince and Princess of Wales were “deeply concerned” by the release of the new documents, stopping short of naming Andrew directly.

“Their thoughts remain focused on the victims,” the spokesperson said.

As police continue to assess the allegations, the case threatens to further entrench the reputational damage surrounding Andrew — and to test the monarchy’s ongoing efforts to demonstrate accountability, transparency and distance from scandal.