Police Scotland Investigates Mountbatten-Windsor, Epstein, and Maxwell's Time at Balmoral Castle

According to a report from the BBC UK, Police Scotland is currently investigating the activities of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Jeffrey Epstein, and Ghislane Maxwell while they were at Balmoral Castle. The inquiry reportedly concerns allegations that women were trafficked to the royal residence located in Aberdeenshire.

It is understood that Epstein, who passed away in 2019, and Maxwell, who received a 20-year sentence in 2022 for her involvement in sex trafficking, visited the castle alongside Mountbatten-Windsor. Mountbatten-Windsor has previously maintained that he has not done anything wrong.

Police Scotland stated that the inquiries are in a very early stage and that it would be inappropriate for them to offer further commentary. The Royal family traditionally spends their summers at Balmoral, which is also where Queen Elizabeth II died in 2022.

In February, the police force indicated that it wished to speak with anyone who possessed information regarding Epstein's private jet utilizing Edinburgh Airport. At that time, officers reported that they had not received any complaints or reports related to that trip.

Evidence presented in a BBC investigation indicated that Epstein's UK flights allegedly carried British abuse victims. Furthermore, files from the Epstein case showed an email from an individual identified as 'A' originating from 'Balmoral' that requested 'inappropriate friends' from Ghislane Maxwell.

It has been reported that Prince Andrew hosted Epstein, Maxwell, and Weinstein at Royal Lodge. Flight logs indicate that Mountbatten-Windsor and Maxwell traveled from Luton to Edinburgh on Epstein's private jet with two other passengers on September 1, 2006. An image that is believed to depict the disgraced financier Epstein and former socialite Maxwell at Balmoral was also made public by US prosecutors during Maxwell's sex trafficking trial. This image is thought to have been taken in 1999, around the time Mountbatten-Windsor reportedly invited the pair to stay at the castle.

Reports suggest that Epstein and Maxwell were regular visitors to royal residences during the late 1990s and early 2000s. The US Department of Justice released the so-called Epstein Files last year. Among these files was an email sent to Maxwell by someone named 'A' while they were at Balmoral, asking for "new inappropriate friends."

This message, which was sent to Maxwell on August 16, 2001, began with the statement, "I am up here at Balmoral Summer Camp for the Royal Family." The sender later inquired, "How's LA? Have you found me some new inappropriate friends?" before concluding with "see ya A xxx."

Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide in 2019 at the age of 66 while incarcerated in a US prison awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Maxwell, who was 60, was sentenced to 20 years in 2022 for her role in procuring girls for Epstein.

Last October, it was confirmed that Andrew had been stripped of his "prince" title and would be vacating his Windsor mansion, Royal Lodge. In February, he was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office following information that emerged from the US-released Epstein files. More recently, earlier this month, it was reported that he was pursuing legal action against Thames Valley Police concerning search warrants issued prior to his arrest.

Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied any wrongdoing related to his association with Epstein.

Scottish First Minister John Swinney commented on the latest reports, stating that he understood the seriousness of the points raised and the concern expressed. He added that this is an operational matter for Police Scotland to investigate thoroughly and comprehensively, and he expressed confidence that Police Scotland would conduct that investigation.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that he did not wish to comment on the police inquiries, noting that they "should properly be independent."