Scottish police have confirmed they are reviewing allegations involving Prince Andrew and the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during their time at the Balmoral estate.
The inquiry follows public pressure regarding the Duke of York’s historical associations with Epstein. While Police Scotland has not launched a formal criminal investigation into the Prince, they are assessing whether any criminal conduct occurred on Scottish soil that warrants further action.
The scrutiny centers on reports that Epstein visited the royal retreat in the late 1990s. For years, the Prince’s friendship with the American financier remained a private matter, but the association became a central point of the scandal that eventually forced Andrew to step back from public life.
Critics have long argued that the royal family’s internal handling of the Prince’s ties to Epstein lacked transparency. By confirming the review, Scottish authorities are signaling that the passage of time—or the status of the individual involved—does not grant immunity from institutional oversight.
A spokesperson for Police Scotland stated they have received correspondence regarding the matter. “The information provided is being assessed by officers,” the statement read. It was a brief, procedural acknowledgment—leaving the door open for a more robust inquiry if officials find sufficient grounds.
The Prince has consistently denied any wrongdoing regarding his relationship with Epstein. Yet, the legal landscape surrounding the late financier’s associates remains volatile. With ongoing civil litigation in the United States and persistent calls for accountability in the UK, the Duke finds himself unable to fully distance his private life from the fallout of his past friendships.
Balmoral, a symbol of royal privacy and tradition, now finds itself at the center of a criminal assessment. Whether this review leads to a formal investigation remains unclear, but for the Duke of York, it serves as another reminder that the Epstein saga is far from over.
