Buckingham Palace have confirmed that they will happily support a UK police force – if approached – with regard to the former Prince Andrew, who is suspected of  misconduct in public office and breach of official secrets when acting in his then role as government trade envoy, back in 2010.

Thames Valley Police clarified that it is assessing whether there are grounds to investigate Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor – his new title after being stripped of his Prince and Duke titles at the end of last year – and his involvement in the deepening Jeffrey Epstein scandal.

Andrew served as trade envoy between 2001 and 2011 and in recent weeks emails exchanges between the then prince and Epstein have been released dated after his conviction in 2008 for child sex offences. 

The Palace’s statement read: “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. 

“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.” 

They then added: “The King and Queen’s thoughts and sympathies have been, and remain with, the victims of any and all forms of abuse.” That address came very quickly on the back of a statement from the Prince and Princess of Wales who remarked how they were “deeply concerned” by the latest revelations about Epstein.

Specific documents include emails indicating that on 7 October 2010, Andrew sent Epstein details of his official upcoming trips to Singapore, Vietnam, Shenzhen in China and Hong Kong, detailing confidential investment opportunities. Then shortly afterwards the former prince appears to have forwarded official reports of those visits sent by his then-special assistant, Amit Patel, to Epstein, just five minutes after receiving them himself.

Under official guidance, trade envoys have a duty of confidentiality over sensitive, commercial, or political information about their official visits.

Only last week, Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was moved much more quickly than expected from his home at Royal Lodge in Windsor to the King’s private estate in Sandringham. It had been on the cards after events in October 2025 when following a wave of revelations about his clear links to Epstein. 

Andrew had his titles taken away, but he suddenly was told to vacate immediately in recent weeks. The former prince has consistently and strenuously denied any wrongdoing.