Police Scotland carrying out ‘active inquiries’ into Andrew and Epstein Balmoral visits
Police Scotland begins early inquiries into Balmoral visits linked to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell
Constantvpn.com – Police Scotland has confirmed that it is conducting active inquiries into information connected with visits by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell to Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire.
The work is at an early stage and relates to allegations that women may have been trafficked to the royal residence. Officers have not provided further details, stressing that ongoing inquiries are driven by available evidence and must place the needs of victim survivors first.
“We have received information and active inquiries are ongoing but these are at a very early stage. All inquiries are evidence led, with the needs of victim survivors at the heart of those inquiries. We would never confirm details of ongoing enquiries and it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
Representatives for Mountbatten-Windsor have been approached for a response. He has repeatedly denied wrongdoing in connection with his relationship with Epstein.
Visits to the Scottish royal residence
Balmoral has long been the royal family’s traditional summer retreat. Queen Elizabeth II died there in 2022. Images made public during Maxwell’s criminal proceedings showed Epstein and Maxwell at the estate, with the photograph believed to date from 1999.
Mountbatten-Windsor was said to have invited the pair to stay at Balmoral that year. Epstein and Maxwell were also understood to have been frequent visitors at royal properties during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Flight records from 1 September 2006 indicate that Mountbatten-Windsor and Maxwell travelled from Luton to Edinburgh aboard Epstein’s private aircraft, alongside two other passengers. The flight information has added to scrutiny of Epstein’s links and movements in the UK.
In February, Police Scotland appealed for anyone with information about Epstein’s private jet using Edinburgh Airport to come forward. At that point, the force said it had received no reports or complaints relating to that journey.
Documents and a Balmoral email
US Department of Justice material released last year, often referred to as the Epstein Files, included an email sent to Maxwell on 16 August 2001 by a person identified only as “A”. The sender said they were at Balmoral and sought what were described as “new inappropriate friends”.
“I am up here at Balmoral Summer Camp for the Royal Family.”
Later, the email asked: “How’s LA? Have you found me some new inappropriate friends?” It ended with the sign-off: “see ya A xxx”. The documents did not establish the identity of the sender within the wording of the email itself.
The presence of the message and the Balmoral photograph has renewed attention on the historical association between Epstein, Maxwell and Mountbatten-Windsor. Police Scotland’s statement does not amount to an allegation of criminal conduct against any individual, nor does it indicate whether the early inquiries will develop into a formal investigation.
Epstein and Maxwell
Epstein, a convicted sex offender and financier, died by suicide in a US prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. He was 66.
Maxwell was sentenced in 2022 to 20 years in prison for her role in procuring girls for Epstein. She was 60 when she was jailed. Her conviction followed a US trial examining her involvement in facilitating Epstein’s abuse of underage girls.
The Scottish inquiry comes amid continued public interest in the networks around Epstein and the institutions, properties and travel routes connected to him. For police, the key issue at this stage is whether available information can be corroborated by evidence and whether potential victim survivors need support or an opportunity to provide information.
Police forces generally avoid disclosing operational details in the opening phase of inquiries, particularly where claims may involve vulnerable people, historic events or cross-border evidence. The force has made clear that it will not comment further while the work remains underway.
Continuing pressure on Mountbatten-Windsor
Mountbatten-Windsor’s association with Epstein has remained under intense examination for years. He has consistently rejected allegations of wrongdoing linked to that relationship.
Last October, it was confirmed that he had lost the use of his “prince” title and would leave Royal Lodge, his Windsor home. In February, he was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office after information emerged from the US document releases, before later being released.
Earlier this month, it emerged that he was pursuing legal action against Thames Valley Police over search warrants issued before that arrest.
For now, the Balmoral matter remains a police inquiry rather than a concluded case. Police Scotland has asked that any assessment be guided by evidence, while making clear that the interests and welfare of victim survivors will remain central to its work.
Related Reading
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Police Scotland carrying out active inquiries?Police Scotland carrying out active inquiries is the main topic of this guide. The article explains the context, practical details, and next steps readers should understand.
Why does Police Scotland carrying out active inquiries matter?Police Scotland carrying out active inquiries matters because readers are looking for a useful answer, not just a short summary. Good content should match search intent and help them decide what to do next.