- The statement was also released as Prince William prepared to begin an official visit to Saudi Arabia
- Since stepping back from public duties in 2019, Andrew has lost his royal titles, military roles and patronages
- Despite these steps, calls have grown for the Palace to make a clearer break, as renewed disclosures continue to fuel public anger
Prince William and Princess Catherine have said they are “deeply concerned” by the latest disclosures linked to Jeffrey Epstein, marking their first public response since new documents connected to the late financier were released in the United States.
In a brief statement issued through Kensington Palace, Eko Hot Blog gathered that in a spokesperson said the Prince and Princess of Wales are focused on the victims following the emergence of fresh information tied to Epstein’s activities.
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The statement did not mention Epstein by name, nor did it refer directly to Prince Andrew or his former wife, Sarah Ferguson, both of whom have faced renewed scrutiny.
The intervention comes at a sensitive time for the Royal Family, as further allegations connected to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor have intensified public and media attention.
The statement was also released as Prince William prepared to begin an official visit to Saudi Arabia, a trip regarded as diplomatically important.
While the message was short, royal observers say it was intended to signal awareness and concern amid growing pressure on the monarchy to address the fallout from the Epstein revelations.
However, it is unlikely to end questions about how the Royal Family has handled the controversy surrounding Andrew.
The issue has continued to follow the monarchy in public appearances. Earlier this week, King Charles was heckled during a visit to Clitheroe in Lancashire, with a member of the crowd shouting a question about what the Palace knew regarding Andrew’s links to Epstein.
Andrew, who maintained a close association with Epstein even after the financier’s 2008 conviction for a sexual offence involving a minor, has previously expressed regret over their friendship but has consistently denied any criminal wrongdoing.
In recent years, reports have suggested that Prince William supports further distancing the Royal Family from his uncle. Despite this, senior royals have largely avoided detailed public comment on the allegations.
Pressure on Andrew has increased following the release of a large cache of US court documents. Some of the materials include images and emails that have reignited controversy around his relationship with Epstein and Epstein’s associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a prison sentence in the United States for child sex trafficking.
The documents also appear to confirm the authenticity of a widely circulated photograph showing Andrew with Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexually abusing her when she was a teenager, an allegation he has denied.
Andrew reached an out-of-court settlement with Giuffre in 2022, without admitting liability.
UK police have said they are reviewing fresh allegations reported by the BBC from another woman who claims she was sent to the UK by Epstein for a sexual encounter with Andrew in 2010.
Further emails released in the US suggest Andrew may have shared sensitive information with Epstein during his time as a UK trade envoy, raising questions about breaches of official confidentiality.
Since stepping back from public duties in 2019, Andrew has lost his royal titles, military roles and patronages. He recently vacated Royal Lodge earlier than expected and has reportedly moved to accommodation on the King’s Sandringham estate.
Despite these steps, calls have grown for the Palace to make a clearer break, as renewed disclosures continue to fuel public anger and scrutiny of the monarchy’s response to the Epstein scandal.
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