King Charles breaks silence on new Epstein files with brother Andrew

King Charles is speaking out for the first time since more documents tying his younger brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to Jeffrey Epstein were recently released.

"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," a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said Feb. 9.

"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," the statement continued. "As was previously stated, their majesties’ thoughts and sympathies have been, and remain with, the victims of any and all forms of abuse."

Thames Valley Police said the issue of communications between Mountbatten-Windsor – formerly known as Prince Andrew – and Epstein from more than a decade ago had been reported to them and that they were assessing whether to investigate formally.

In the latest files released by the Justice Department Jan. 30, emails between Mountbatten-Windsor and Epstein suggest the British royal family member shared official British trade documents with Epstein in 2010, leaking information from his then-role as an official government envoy. This would have taken place after Epstein's conviction for child sex crimes.

King Charles' statement follows comments by his younger brother Prince Edward, as well as his son Prince William and daughter-in-law Princess Kate. Each of the members of the royal family maintained the same messaging as the king by focusing their comments on Epstein's alleged sex trafficking victims.

In an Oct. 30 statement when King Charles initiated the formal process of removing Mountbatten-Windsor's royal titles, the palace said, "These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him."

"Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse," the statement continued.

What do the Epstein files reveal about the former Prince Andrew?

The documents appear to show that Andrew forwarded Epstein reports about Vietnam, Singapore and other places, which he had been sent in relation to an official trip.

Also in one of several photos included in the 3 million new files, Mountbatten-Windsor is seen kneeling on all fours over an unidentified woman on the ground.

Despite "vigorously" denying allegations of sexual abuse in connection with Epstein – which include the late Virginia Giuffre's claims that Epstein had trafficked her to Mountbatten Windsor and the royal family member raped her when she was underage – Mountbatten Windsor renounced his royal titles in October.

Prior to this, in 2022, his mother – the late Queen Elizabeth II – revoked her second son's military associations and royal patronages in the wake of Giuffre's September 2021 lawsuit, which was later settled for an undisclosed sum. Giuffre died by suicide in April 2025.

Contributing: Michael Holden, Sarah Young and Sam Tabahriti, Reuters

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support to survivors and their loved ones in English and Spanish at: 800.656.HOPE (4673) and Hotline.RAINN.org and en Español RAINN.org/es.