The Prince and Princess of Wales have been described as "deeply concerned" by the ongoing revelations from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal involving Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, according to an official statement from Kensington Palace. This marks the first time that William and Catherine's views on the crisis have been publicly acknowledged, with palace officials emphasising that their thoughts "remain focused on the victims" of the scandal.
Royal Response Amid Diplomatic Tour
The statement was released just hours before Prince William embarked on a significant three-day diplomatic tour of Saudi Arabia, where he is scheduled to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Palace sources indicated a clear desire to establish the royal couple's position before the tour commenced, allowing William to concentrate on what is being viewed as one of his most challenging overseas visits to date in support of UK interests.
A Kensington Palace spokesperson stated: "I can confirm that the Prince and Princess of Wales have been deeply concerned by the continued revelations. Their thoughts remain focused on the victims." This carefully worded declaration comes at a time when the royal family's recent activities have been substantially overshadowed by the Epstein controversy.
Scandal Reignites with Document Release
The Epstein scandal, involving the convicted child sex offender, was reignited when US authorities released millions of associated documents, sparking renewed allegations against Prince Andrew. These developments have created significant turbulence within royal circles and Westminster political spheres alike.
Among the most serious claims to emerge are allegations that a second woman was sent to the UK by Epstein specifically for a sexual encounter with Mountbatten-Windsor. Further accusations suggest that both the former prince and Epstein propositioned an exotic dancer for a threesome at the financier's Florida residence.
Most recently, Mountbatten-Windsor faces allegations of sharing confidential reports from official trade visits to Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Singapore during his tenure as the UK's trade envoy. The former duke, who was stripped of his royal titles by the King last year, has consistently denied any wrongdoing and recently relocated from the Royal Lodge to temporary accommodation on the Sandringham estate.
Broader Royal Family Reactions
Prince Edward became the first royal family member to publicly address the scandal since the document release, stating last week that it was crucial to "remember the victims" when questioned about how he was coping with the revelations. This sentiment appears to align with the position now articulated by William and Catherine.
The scandal has prompted UK police to launch an investigation into former minister Peter Mandelson regarding alleged misconduct in public office, though Mandelson has firmly denied any impropriety. Mountbatten-Windsor himself has maintained complete silence regarding the latest Epstein file disclosures.
As the royal family navigates this challenging period, the carefully measured response from the Prince and Princess of Wales reflects both their concern for those affected and their awareness of the diplomatic sensitivities surrounding William's current Middle Eastern tour.
