British Police Assess Allegations Against Prince Andrew

The ongoing review of allegations implicating former Prince Andrew in misconduct is being led by British police, with discussions held with criminal prosecutors. These allegations suggest that Andrew might have shared confidential documents with the late Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. The assessment is managed by Thames Valley Police, focusing on documents within the United States Department of Justice’s so-called ‘Epstein Files.’ In a statement, Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright of Thames Valley Police indicated that his team is working in conjunction with Specialist Crown Prosecutors from the Crown Prosecution Service, which handles criminal prosecutions in the UK.

Wright explained that during this assessment phase, all information is carefully examined to ascertain whether a criminal offense may have occurred and if a comprehensive investigation should follow. The Justice Department’s release of numerous documents concerning Epstein continues to cast a shadow over Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the name Andrew adopted after losing his royal titles last year. NBC News sought comments from Mountbatten-Windsor’s spokesperson following these police statements.

In response to this situation, Buckingham Palace mentioned that King Charles III, Andrew’s elder brother, is prepared to cooperate with the police if required. As per the Palace’s spokesperson, Charles has expressed serious concern regarding the allegations concerning Mountbatten-Windsor. They emphasized that their sympathies remain with the victims of abuse.

Prince William and his wife, Kate, the Princess of Wales, have also voiced their worries. A Kensington Palace representative shared that they are highly disturbed by the ongoing revelations and are focused on the victims.

Central to the current controversy is an email exchange from November 30, 2010. During his role as a trade envoy for the UK, the documents allegedly illustrate Andrew providing Epstein with reports on his travels to Southeast Asia and sharing information about investment ventures in Afghanistan. Such actions might violate confidentiality norms typically adhered to by trade envoys.

Andrew held the position of the UK’s special representative for international trade and investment from 2001 to 2011. On Monday, the U.K. Department for Business and Trade expressed readiness to assist police in examining these allegations further.

For many years, Andrew has been under scrutiny due to his association with Epstein. Among the allegations, one notable claim involves Virginia Roberts Giuffre, a well-known survivor of Epstein’s abuse, who accused Andrew of sexual misconduct when she was 17. Although Andrew has consistently refuted any unlawful actions related to Epstein, he reached an undisclosed settlement with Giuffre in 2022.

Henry Austin, a senior editor for NBC News Digital based in London, provided this report.