Scottish police have opened an investigation into a past visit to Balmoral Castle by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, nos.nl reported.
What to Know About the Balmoral Inquiry
- Police in Scotland launched the investigation after receiving information regarding a visit involving Andrew, Epstein, and Ghislaine Maxwell.
- Officials confirmed the inquiry is currently in a very early stage, with authorities emphasizing that the welfare of victims remains central to their work.
- The former prince lost the title ‘prins’ in 2025, following the earlier loss of his other titles and royal privileges.
The 1999 Highlands Visit and Ongoing Police Scrutiny
Authorities in Scotland confirmed an investigation is underway regarding a historical visit to Balmoral Castle. The castle in the Scottish Highlands serves as the summer residence for the British royal family.
BREAKING: Police are investigating Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's stays with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at Balmoral in 1999.Read more: https://t.co/0k8SRNmpYP pic.twitter.com/aIuvQk3iIN
According to nos.nl, investigators are examining a stay from 1999 that reportedly brought Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Epstein, and Epstein’s associate Ghislaine Maxwell to the royal grounds. Police officials have stated they received information that prompted the formal inquiry.
A police spokesperson noted that the investigation remains in a very preliminary phase. Authorities have declined to provide specific details regarding the exact focus of the inquiries or any incidents alleged to have occurred on the property, reiterating that the interest of the victims is central.
Decades of Scrutiny Surrounding Former Royal Privileges
The development follows fallout stemming from Andrew’s association with Epstein. In 2025, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor—brother to King Charles—lost the title ‘prins’, having already forfeited his other titles and royal privileges.
Epstein was a wealthy American businessman who managed the assets of wealthy clients. He had access to politicians, celebrities, and members of royal houses, including Andrew. In 2008, he was convicted of forced prostitution and in 2019 he was arrested on suspicion of sex abuse of minors. He died in his cell, presumably by suicide, before his trial could begin.
The released dossier regarding Epstein led to investigations worldwide. Those documents show that abuse was widespread and occurred in places where Epstein took prominent politicians and public figures. The files mention Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, and Microsoft founder Bill Gates, alongside multiple mentions of Andrew.
Disclosures from Unsealed Court Files and Prior Allegations
Released documentation detailed correspondence in which Andrew invited Epstein to Buckingham Palace, the royal palace in London, writing that they could dine there in complete privacy, though it is not known whether that dinner took place. Other files recovered earlier this year featured photographs showing Andrew on his hands and knees over a woman.
Legal scrutiny regarding Andrew predates the publication of the Epstein files. The late Virginia Giuffre, an Epstein victim, detailed allegations in her memoirs. In 2015, she accused the prince of forcing her into sexual encounters when she was 17 years old, under coercion from Epstein and Maxwell. Andrew allegedly knew she was a minor at the time.
Police in Scotland have not provided further details regarding the inquiry.
