The British monarchy is further distancing itself from the disgraced former Prince Andrew, as Prince William and his wife on Monday publicly expressed concern over mounting allegations against the ex-royal and Buckingham Palace said it would support a potential police investigation.
In a statement Monday, the palace said it is “ready to support” the local Thames Valley Police force shortly after the former royal — who is now known simply as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor — was accused of sharing confidential reports with Epstein while serving as U.K. trade envoy. Thames Valley Police covers areas west of London, including Windsor, where the former royal has a home.
“The King has 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,” read the statement, referring to the ex-royal’s brother, King Charles III.
“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,” it went on.
The Thames Valley Police force confirmed to the BBC and CNN that it is looking into the email allegations lobbed Monday against Mountbatten-Windsor by the anti-monarchy group Republic.
A communications officer with Republic told HuffPost that its complaint “was done due to the strength of allegations in a report from the BBC over the weekend.”
Emails reviewed by the BBC have suggested that Mountbatten-Windsor improperly sent Epstein reports from a 2010 tour of Southeast Asia that he took while serving as Britain’s envoy for international trade. He held that role from 2001 to 2011. The emails were reportedly found among the millions of files released last month by the U.S. Department of Justice in relation to Epstein.
Graham Smith, Republic’s chief executive, confirmed in a social media post that he reported Mountbatten-Windsor for suspected misconduct in public office and breach of official secrets in relation to these specific allegations.
Smith wrote that he “cannot see any significant difference between these allegations and those against Peter Mandelson,” the former British ambassador to the U.S. who was fired last year over his ties to Epstein. In addition to having a friendship with Epstein, Mandelson has been accused of sharing confidential U.K. government information with Epstein when he was a British minister.
News of the potential police probe came shortly after Prince William and Princess Catherine released their first public statement addressing deepening allegations against William’s uncle. The couple said they “have been deeply concerned by the continued revelations” and “their thoughts remain focused on the victims.”
Mountbatten-Windsor was stripped of his royal title last year following allegations that he sexually assaulted a minor whom he met through Epstein. He has denied any wrongdoing.
