Metropolitan Police to Review Latest Allegations Involving Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Jeffrey Epstein
The Metropolitan Police has announced it will review new allegations concerning Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's links to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This comes after fresh claims emerged over the weekend that Epstein trafficked a woman to the United Kingdom to have sex with Andrew at the Royal Lodge in Windsor during 2010.
Details of the Fresh Allegations
According to reports, the woman, who is not British and was in her twenties at the time, has alleged through her US lawyer, Brad Edwards, that she spent the night at Andrew's residence, the Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park. It is further claimed that she was later given a tour of Buckingham Palace following the incident. These revelations surfaced after the US Department of Justice released additional documents related to Epstein and his connections to wealthy and influential figures last Friday.
Police Response and Assessment
A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police, whose jurisdiction includes the Royal Lodge, stated: "We are aware of reports about a woman said to have been taken to an address in Windsor in 2010 for sexual purposes. We are assessing the information in line with our established procedures." The spokesperson emphasised that they take any reports of sexual crimes extremely seriously and encourage individuals with information to come forward. However, they noted that at this stage, neither the woman nor her lawyer has formally reported these allegations to Thames Valley Police.
The Metropolitan Police's review does not automatically mean a criminal investigation will be launched. In December, the Met decided after a similar review not to pursue a full criminal investigation into two other matters involving Andrew, including allegations of sex with Virginia Giuffre in London in 2001 and claims of pressuring a police protection officer.
Royal Family Reactions and Context
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to his association with Epstein. His involvement with the disgraced financier led King Charles to strip him of his royal titles and military affiliations. In the wake of the latest document release, Prince Edward, Andrew's brother, made the first public comments by a senior royal, stating in Dubai: "I think it's all really important, always, to remember the victims and who are the victims in all this."
The anti-monarchy campaign group Republic has called for British police to investigate the claims that Epstein trafficked the woman to the UK for sex with Andrew. The newly released Epstein documents also include photographs depicting Andrew crouched over a woman, adding to the scrutiny surrounding his past actions.
As authorities continue to assess the information, the case highlights ongoing concerns about accountability and justice for victims linked to high-profile individuals.
