Police Scotland Investigating Andrew, Epstein, and Maxwell Visits to Balmoral
Inquiries are in early stages regarding alleged trafficking to the royal residence.
Police Scotland is conducting active inquiries into visits by Prince Andrew, Jeffrey Epstein, and Ghislane Maxwell to Balmoral Castle. The investigation is reportedly looking into allegations that women were trafficked to the Aberdeenshire royal residence.
Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died in 2019, and Maxwell, who was jailed for sex trafficking in 2022, are understood to have visited the castle with Prince Andrew. The Duke of York has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
A spokesperson for Police Scotland stated that the inquiries are at a "very early stage" and that it would be inappropriate to comment further. The force added that all inquiries are "evidence led, with the needs of victim survivors at the heart of those inquiries."
In February, Police Scotland announced it was seeking information regarding Epstein's private jet using Edinburgh Airport, though at the time no reports or complaints related to such a trip had been received.
Flight logs reportedly show Prince Andrew and Maxwell traveled from Luton to Edinburgh on Epstein's private jet in September 2006, accompanied by two other passengers. An image of Epstein and Maxwell at Balmoral was also released by U.S. prosecutors during Maxwell's trial, believed to have been taken in 1999 when Prince Andrew reportedly invited them to the castle.
Epstein and Maxwell were reportedly frequent guests at royal residences in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Among documents released as part of the "Epstein Files" by the U.S. Department of Justice, an email from someone identified as 'A' to Maxwell mentioned being at "Balmoral Summer Camp for the Royal Family" in August 2001 and asked Maxwell, "Have you found me some new inappropriate friends?"
Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide in a U.S. prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Ghislane Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2022 for her role in procuring underage girls for Epstein.
In October, it was confirmed that Prince Andrew had been stripped of his "prince" title and would be leaving his Windsor mansion. He was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office following information from the Epstein files but was later released. Earlier this month, reports emerged that he is taking legal action against Thames Valley Police over search warrants issued prior to his arrest. Prince Andrew has maintained his innocence in relation to any association with Epstein.