Police Scotland carrying out ‘active inquiries’ into Andrew and Epstein Balmoral visits
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Police Scotland Carrying Out Active Balmoral Inquiries
Ninoda.com – Police Scotland carrying out active inquiries has confirmed it is examining information linked to visits by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell to Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire.
The force said the work remained at an early stage following information about allegations that women may have been trafficked to the royal residence. Officers said their approach would be guided by evidence and by the needs of victim survivors.
“We have received information and active inquiries are ongoing but these are at a very early stage.”
Police Scotland said it would not provide further detail while the investigation was continuing.
“All inquiries are evidence led, with the needs of victim survivors at the heart of those inquiries. We would never confirm details of ongoing inquiries and it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
Visits to Balmoral
Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died in 2019, and Maxwell are understood to have visited Balmoral with Mountbatten-Windsor. Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2022 for her role in procuring girls for Epstein.
Balmoral has long been the Royal Family’s summer residence, and Queen Elizabeth II died there in 2022. Images released by the US Department of Justice appear to show Epstein and Maxwell at the estate. Another photograph believed to have been taken at Balmoral emerged during Maxwell’s sex-trafficking trial.
The photograph is thought to date from 1999, when Mountbatten-Windsor reportedly invited Epstein and Maxwell to stay at the castle. The pair were said to have been frequent visitors to royal residences in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Mountbatten-Windsor has repeatedly denied wrongdoing connected with his association with Epstein. Representatives for him were approached for comment on the latest development.
Flight records and earlier appeal
Police Scotland carrying out active inquiries follows an earlier appeal for information about Epstein’s private jet using Edinburgh Airport. In February, officers said they wanted to hear from anyone with relevant knowledge, although no reports or complaints relating to the trip had been received.
Flight records show Mountbatten-Windsor and Maxwell travelled from Luton to Edinburgh on Epstein’s private aircraft on 1 September 2006, alongside two other passengers.
A person appearing in a flight log or having an association with Epstein does not, by itself, establish criminal conduct. The records may, however, help investigators understand travel arrangements and connections relevant to their inquiries.
US documents and an email from Balmoral
Documents released by the US Department of Justice included an email sent to Maxwell by a person identified only as “A”. Dated 16 August 2001, it said the writer was at Balmoral.
“I am up here at Balmoral Summer Camp for the Royal Family.”
The sender later asked: “How’s LA? Have you found me some new inappropriate friends?” The email was signed “see ya A xxx”. The material does not identify the sender or establish criminal wrongdoing by anyone linked to Balmoral.
FAQ for people in Scotland
What does an active inquiry mean? It means Police Scotland is assessing information and pursuing relevant lines of inquiry. The force has said the work is at an early stage.
Have charges been brought over the Balmoral allegations? Police Scotland has not said that charges have been brought or that alleged victims, witnesses or potential offences have been identified in connection with Balmoral.
What should someone with relevant information do? Anyone with information relevant to the matter should contact Police Scotland through its usual reporting channels. The force says victim survivors’ needs are central to its evidence-led approach.
Police Scotland carrying out active inquiries has not confirmed what further action, if any, may follow. Its current work is focused on assessing the information it has received.
