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Thames Valley Police, the force responsible for areas west of London, including the former Windsor residence of the ex-royal, has initiated an investigation following media reports. These reports unveiled emails indicating that the then-prince shared updates with Jeffrey Epstein from his 2010 South East Asia tour, undertaken in his capacity as Britain’s international trade envoy.
This development was prompted by an anti-monarchy advocate who reported the former prince for possible misconduct in public office and potential violations of Britain’s Official Secrets Act. The allegations are based on emails included within over 3 million pages of documents recently disclosed by the US Justice Department.
“We can confirm receipt of this report and are assessing the information in line with our established procedures,” Thames Valley Police stated, acknowledging the gravity of the claims.
Meanwhile, the royal family is striving to distance itself from the burgeoning scandal. Prince William and Princess Catherine have issued their first response to the U.S. document disclosures, which expose Jeffrey Epstein’s network of influential individuals used to exploit young women and girls. The files also highlight Mountbatten-Windsor’s enduring association with Epstein, despite the financier’s 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution.
“I can confirm that the Prince and Princess of Wales have been deeply concerned by the continued revelations,” a spokesperson mentioned, as Prince William embarked on an official visit to Saudi Arabia. This statement underscores the royal family’s ongoing efforts to mitigate the impact of these distressing revelations.
“I can confirm that the Prince and Princess of Wales have been deeply concerned by the continued revelations,” a spokesperson said as William travelled to Saudi Arabia for an official visit.
“Their thoughts remain focused on the victims.”
The jeopardy faced by the royal family could be seen on Monday when King Charles visited Lancashire, in north-west England. While most of the public clapped, cheered and waved British flags, one person shouted, “How long have you known about Andrew?”
Correspondence unearthed in recent days, as reporters continue to comb through the documents, appear to show that Mountbatten-Windsor forwarded copies of his reports from a 2010 tour of South East Asia to Epstein soon after he returned to Britain. An earlier email appears to show Andrew sharing his itinerary for the two-week trip to Hanoi, Saigon, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong with Epstein.
No new statement from Buckingham Palace
Charles and Queen Camilla, who has long campaigned against violence against women, haven’t commented directly on the newly released Epstein files, with Buckingham Palace instead referring the media to a statement the royal couple made last year as the scandal began to accelerate.
“Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement released on October 30, when the king announced that Andrew would be stripped of his titles.
Thames Valley Police began its inquiry after Graham Smith, chief executive of the anti-monarchy group Republic, reported Mountbatten-Windsor for suspected abuse of public office and violations of Britain’s Official Secrets Act.
Smith, whose group seeks to replace the king with an elected head of state, compared Mountbatten-Windsor’s correspondence with Epstein to earlier revelations about Peter Mandelson, Britain’s former ambassador to the US, who is already the subject of a police investigation into whether he shared sensitive information with Epstein. Those communications were also revealed in the Justice Department documents.
“I cannot see any significant difference between these allegations and those against Peter Mandelson,” Smith said on social media.
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