Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is facing a new police probe as officers investigate allegations that Jeffrey Epstein trafficked women to Balmoral.
Police Scotland have confirmed enquiries into stays at the King’s Scottish Highlands estate by the late convicted paedophile and his former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell, who has since been jailed.
There have been claims that women were ‘trafficked’ to the private Balmoral estate.
Convicted paedophile Epstein visited Balmoral in 1999, reportedly on the invitation of the then-Prince Andrew.
An undated photograph from this period appears to show Epstein and Maxwell relaxing at the Glen Beg log cabin on the royal estate.
Pictures previously released by the Department of Justice in the US also appear to show Andrew and Epstein on a shooting trip.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We have received information and active inquiries are ongoing, but these are at a very early stage.
“All inquiries are evidence-led, with the needs of victim survivors at the heart of those inquiries.
“We would never confirm details of ongoing inquiries, and it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
Multiple forces, including Thames Valley Police, the Metropolitan Police and Surrey Police, also have live investigations linked to the release of the Epstein files, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) confirmed.
Balmoral Castle, located in the Scottish Highlands, was privately bought by Queen Victoria in 1852 as a summer retreat, and plays host to the Royal Family each August.
In 2022, it was where Queen Elizabeth II died at the age of 96.
King Charles stripped his brother of his prince title and his dukedom last year after further details emerged about his friendship with the late sex offender Epstein.
The former Duke of York was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on February 19, his 66th birthday, following allegations he shared sensitive information with Epstein during his time as the UK’s trade envoy.
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Andrew was interviewed under caution before being released under investigation, and denies wrongdoing, with the police probe ongoing.
An email released in a tranche of the “Epstein files” last year signed “A” asked disgraced British socialite Maxwell for “inappropriate friends”.
In one of four emails sent by someone titled The Invisible Man to Maxwell in August 2001, the sender told the now-convicted sex trafficker their “valet” had recently died and they had “left the RN”.
Andrew left the Royal Navy the month before the email was sent.
Another email from the same individual, dated August 16 2001, said they were at “Balmoral Summer Camp for the Royal Family” before asking Maxwell: “Have you found me some inappropriate friends?”
In March 2002, an email from Maxwell to The Invisible Man said they had passed on a message to an unnamed individual, with that message beginning with: “I just gave Andrew your telephone no.”
The message from Maxwell to the unidentified person also said “Andrew” would be “very happy” if he did some “two legged sight seeing”.