William and Catherine 'deeply concerned' over Epstein revelations
ReutersThe Prince and Princess of Wales have said they are "deeply concerned" by the latest revelations about Jeffrey Epstein in their first public statement on the scandal.
In an unusual intervention, a Kensington Palace spokesperson said Prince William and Princess Catherine were "focused on the victims" in light of new information contained in documents related to the late sex offender released in the US.
The statement was released as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor came under renewed scrutiny over his past ties with Epstein.
A royal spokesperson said: "I can confirm The Prince and Princess have been deeply concerned by the continuing revelations.
"Their thoughts remain focused on the victims."
Although the two-line statement from the Prince and Princess of Wales made no direct reference to Epstein, Andrew or his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, who has also faced further questions in light of the latest document release, it remains significant, if not explicit.
It was published as Prince William prepared to begin an official visit to Saudi Arabia, a trip which has been viewed as highly significant diplomatically.
He and royal aides are well aware that as headlines around Epstein continue to swirl, so does the scrutiny on the Royal Family's response.
In releasing the statement, William will hope that it shows he is concerned and not oblivious to the damaging headlines, as well as clearing the way for focus on his official trip to Saudi Arabia.
However, it is unlikely that it will completely shut down questions over the royal's handling of the Andrew scandal.
Mountbatten-Windsor had a long-running friendship with Epstein and maintained contact with the American financier after his conviction for a child sex offence in 2008.
He has previously apologised for his past ties with Epstein but has strenuously denied any wrongdoing.
While reports have emerged in recent years that William favours a further cutting of ties with his disgraced uncle, he and other senior royals have largely refrained from commenting on the allegations against him.
The King last directly mentioned Epstein's victims in October when he stripped Andrew of his titles, and last week Prince Edward referred to victims when asked about the Epstein fallout at a government conference in Dubai.
Last week saw Mountbatten-Windsor move out of his Windsor home ahead of schedule in light of new information about his relationship with Epstein.
Buckingham Palace had said he would leave Royal Lodge in early 2026, but his departure appears to have been sped up, with the former prince now living on King Charles's privately-owned Sandringham Estate.
But continued disclosures in the US have increased the pressure on Mountbatten-Windsor, who has faced calls to give evidence to an American inquiry.
Included in a massive trove of documents released in the US are images appearing to show Mountbatten-Windsor kneeling on all fours over a woman.
No context is supplied for the photos and it is unclear when and where they were taken.
The latest documents also appear to confirm that a notorious picture of Mountbatten-Windsor and his accuser Virginia Giuffre is real.
He has previously questioned whether a picture of him with his arm around Guiffre had been doctored and claimed he had never met her. She alleged she was made to have sex with him as a teenager.
But in an email apparently written by Epstein's associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who is also in the image, in 2015, she said: "In 2001 I was in London when [redacted] met a number of friends of mine including Prince Andrew. A photograph was taken as I imagine she wanted to show it to friends and family."
PA MediaHe has always denied the claim and reached an out-of-court settlement with Giuffre in 2022. It contained no admission of liability or apology.
Thames Valley Police has confirmed it is assessing allegations reported by the BBC that a second woman says she was sent to the UK by Epstein for a sexual encounter with Mountbatten-Windsor.
The encounter allegedly occurred at his former Royal Lodge residence in 2010. The woman, who is not British, was in her 20s at the time.
Other emails appear to show Mountbatten-Windsor knowingly shared confidential information with Epstein from his official work as a trade envoy in 2010 and 2011.
Under official guidance, trade envoys have a duty of confidentiality over sensitive, commercial, or political information about their official visits.
But emails show the former prince passing on reports of visits to Singapore, Hong Kong and Vietnam, and confidential details of investment opportunities, to Epstein.
