London — King Charles has indicated that he is prepared to cooperate with British authorities as they review allegations that Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, shared sensitive government information with the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during his tenure as a UK trade envoy.
The latest release of documents by the U.S. Justice Department, which has drawn renewed attention to Mountbatten-Windsor, appears to show correspondence from 2010 in which he allegedly sent confidential material to Epstein. The files, part of a broader set made public in recent weeks, have reignited scrutiny of Epstein’s connections with prominent figures in British public life.
Graham Smith, chief executive of the anti-monarchist group Republic, said Monday that he had filed a formal report with Thames Valley Police, citing “suspected misconduct in public office and breach of official secrets” by Prince Andrew.
A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police confirmed receipt of the report, saying the force was “assessing the information in line with our established procedures.” The police did not provide further details regarding the scope or timeline of any investigation.
Buckingham Palace issued a statement later Monday emphasizing King Charles’s concern over the allegations. The palace spokesperson said the monarch 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.”
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The statement added: “While the specific claims in question are for Mr Mountbatten-Windsor to address, if we are approached by Thames Valley Police we stand ready to support them as you would expect.”
Prince Andrew, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein, has not publicly commented on the latest allegations. Representatives for the former duke did not respond to requests for comment on Monday.
The emerging scrutiny comes amid a broader backlash against several high-profile British figures over their ties to Epstein. Peter Mandelson, former UK ambassador to the United States, resigned from the House of Lords last week after documents appeared to show he provided Epstein with government information considered sensitive to markets in the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis.
Prince Andrew served as a trade envoy for the United Kingdom from 2001 until 2011, a position that involved promoting British business interests abroad. During that period, critics have questioned the appropriateness of his relationships with Epstein and other wealthy individuals with whom he maintained social connections.
Epstein, a financier and convicted sex offender, was arrested in the United States in 2019 on charges of sex trafficking involving minors. He died in a New York jail later that year. U.S. authorities have released portions of his court files and related documents, some of which contain claims and correspondence implicating various public figures in attempts to access privileged information or influence.
In the past, Prince Andrew has faced civil litigation in the United States over allegations of sexual misconduct related to Epstein’s network, which he has denied. In 2022, he reached an out-of-court settlement with one accuser, without admitting liability.
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The newly released documents, while primarily from U.S. court proceedings, are drawing attention in the United Kingdom because they suggest the potential sharing of material obtained in an official capacity. Under UK law, unauthorized disclosure of government information by a public officeholder can constitute criminal misconduct, though any investigation would require a careful legal assessment of the claims.
Republic, the organization that filed the police report, has previously campaigned for increased accountability for members of the royal family, arguing that public office entails legal responsibilities regardless of status. Smith said Monday that the group submitted evidence to the police for “full consideration,” without specifying the precise content of the documents or communications allegedly provided to Epstein.
Buckingham Palace has repeatedly maintained that members of the royal family are expected to uphold confidentiality when carrying out official duties. King Charles’s office has generally sought to distance the institution from Prince Andrew’s past controversies, emphasizing that any personal legal matters remain separate from the monarchy’s official functions.
Thames Valley Police, responsible for the jurisdiction encompassing Buckinghamshire and surrounding counties, did not indicate whether the matter would be assigned to a specialist unit or handled by standard procedures. Police spokespeople said only that the force “will act according to standard investigative protocols if warranted.”
The release of U.S. Justice Department files earlier this year has prompted renewed public debate over the boundaries of diplomatic and quasi-official roles when individuals maintain private networks with influential or controversial figures. Analysts and legal experts have noted that any formal inquiry in the UK would need to determine whether the allegations constitute actual breaches of law or are unverified claims requiring corroboration.
As of Monday, no charges have been filed against Prince Andrew in connection with the alleged sharing of information with Epstein. Officials have not provided a timeline for when Thames Valley Police might conclude their assessment or whether further investigative steps, such as interviews or document reviews, will be undertaken.
