Police Scotland begins review of Andrew's, Epstein's and Maxwell's visits to Balmoral

Police confirm enquiries

Police Scotland is carrying out enquiries related to the activities of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell during their stays at Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire. As BBC News reports, citing the Daily Express, the review concerns claims that women were brought to the royal residence as part of human trafficking. A police spokesperson said: “We have received information and active enquiries are under way, but they are at a very early stage. All enquiries are evidence-based and centred on the needs of surviving victims.” The police declined to give further details. A request for comment was sent to Mountbatten-Windsor's representatives; he has consistently denied any involvement in wrongdoing in connection with his ties to Epstein.

What is known about the Balmoral visits

Epstein, who died in 2019, and Maxwell, who was sentenced in 2022 to 20 years in prison for human trafficking, are reported to have visited the castle together with Andrew. Flight logs show that on 1 September 2006 Mountbatten-Windsor and Maxwell flew from Luton to Edinburgh on Epstein's private jet along with two other passengers. US prosecutors, during Maxwell's trial, released a photograph believed to show Epstein and Maxwell at Balmoral; the picture was reportedly taken in 1999, when Andrew, according to reports, invited the couple to stay. The “Epstein files” published by the US Department of Justice contain a letter dated 16 August 2001 from a person who signed as “A”, sent from Balmoral to Maxwell with the question: “Have you found me some new inappropriate friends?”.

Context and politicians' reaction

The review comes amid a series of events surrounding Andrew: in October last year it was confirmed that he had been stripped of the title of “prince” and was leaving his residence, Royal Lodge, near Windsor. In February he was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office after information from the “Epstein files” emerged in the US, and was then released; earlier in February the police also appealed to the public for information about the use of Epstein's private jet at Edinburgh airport, noting that no complaints had been received. At the beginning of this month it became known that Andrew is taking legal action against Thames Valley Police over search warrants issued before his arrest. Scotland's First Minister John Swinney called the situation an “operational matter” for Police Scotland, expressing confidence that the investigation would be full and thorough; Prime Minister Andy Burnham declined to comment, stressing that police enquiries “must remain independent”.

Image source, Bav Media

Image source, US Department of Justice

Image source, US Department of Justice