Police Investigate Andrew’s Balmoral Links to Epstein

Police Scotland is investigating former prince Andrew’s visit to Balmoral Castle with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The inquiry concerns time Andrew spent at the Scottish royal estate with Epstein, a convicted sex offender, and his associate Maxwell. Police described the investigation as being at a “very early stage” and said inquiries are evidence-led, with the needs of victim survivors at their heart. They declined to confirm details of the ongoing inquiries or comment further. Images released this year by the US Department of Justice appear to show Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, on a shooting trip at Balmoral with Epstein. The article does not state what the images establish or provide further details about the circumstances of the visit. The investigation follows Andrew Mountbatten Windsor’s arrest in February by British police on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He was held for several hours. The arrest was described as the first time in nearly four centuries that a senior British royal had been arrested. The report does not say whether the Scottish inquiry is directly connected to that arrest or describe any charges arising from it. Police Scotland has not disclosed details of its inquiries, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.

Former Prince Andrew Mountbatten Windsor is under a fresh investigation by Police Scotland concerning new information about his activities at the royal family’s Balmoral estate with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Police confirmed that inquiries are active but at a very early stage, declined to specify what they concern, and said their work is evidence-led and centered on victim survivors. The Daily Express reported that the information involved women allegedly being trafficked to the estate, but police did not confirm that account. The article recounts Andrew’s past association with Epstein and Maxwell, including photographs of the pair at Balmoral in 1999 that were presented during Maxwell’s 2021 sex-trafficking trial. Images released by the US Department of Justice also showed them on a shooting trip at the estate. Andrew allegedly hosted a young model during their visit, which is believed to be their only reported stay there. A 2001 email signed “A” and attributed in the article to someone called the “Invisible Man” referred to being at Balmoral and asked Maxwell about finding “new inappropriate friends.” Flight records in the DOJ files show Andrew and Maxwell flew from Luton to Edinburgh on Epstein’s private jet in September 2006, without Epstein aboard. British police said in February they wanted to speak with anyone who had information about that flight. Andrew has consistently denied wrongdoing connected to Epstein. He was previously investigated after Virginia Giuffre alleged Epstein and Maxwell directed her to have sex with him when she was 17; he was not charged and settled Giuffre’s civil claim for millions of pounds while denying wrongdoing. The article also notes a separate allegation that Andrew forwarded confidential trade documents to Epstein while serving as UK trade envoy. Andrew was arrested at Sandringham in February on his 66th birthday, and had previously been stripped of his royal titles by King Charles.

Scottish police are conducting preliminary inquiries into reports that Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell stayed at Balmoral in 1999 after being invited by Andrew, then a prince. Police Scotland said it had received information and that active inquiries were underway, but did not provide further details. A Daily Express report said the inquiry concerns allegations that women were trafficked to the estate, which is now owned by King Charles III and belonged to Queen Elizabeth II at the time. The reported visit is also referenced in material from the US investigation into Epstein, including photographs of Epstein and Maxwell at Balmoral. The inquiry is part of broader scrutiny of Andrew’s connections to Epstein. At least ten British police forces are investigating links between the two, and Police Scotland has previously sought information about Epstein’s alleged use of private aircraft to transport women through Edinburgh Airport. Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has denied wrongdoing and has acknowledged friendships with Epstein and Maxwell. The article recounts the wider consequences of the scandal. King Charles removed Andrew’s royal titles and evicted him from his Windsor residence in 2025. Andrew was briefly arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office, and police searched his properties. Although he successfully challenged the searches in October after police agreed the warrants were unlawful, the investigation continues. He has also repeatedly denied Virginia Giuffre’s allegation that she was trafficked to have sex with him as a teenager. He settled her US civil lawsuit in 2022 without admitting liability. The latest police inquiry comes amid further revelations from Epstein-related documents released by the United States in 2026, including emails that appeared to show Andrew sharing potentially confidential information with Epstein.