Police Scotland opens early-stage inquiry into Epstein and Andrew’s time at Balmoral amid trafficking allegations

Police Scotland has opened an early-stage inquiry into the time Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor spent at Balmoral, the royal family’s private estate in Scotland.

“We have received information and active enquiries are ongoing but these are at a very early stage,” a Police Scotland spokesperson said Friday.

“All enquiries are evidence-led, with the needs of victim survivors at the heart of those enquiries,” the spokesperson added, saying police would not confirm details of an active investigation.

The Daily Express reported that the inquiry concerns allegations that women were trafficked to the Balmoral estate, but Police Scotland has not confirmed that claim or identified any specific suspected offense.

Images previously released by the U.S. Justice Department appear to show Epstein and Maxwell at Balmoral in 1999, and other images appear to show Andrew and Epstein on a shooting trip at the estate.

Andrew has denied criminal wrongdoing connected to Epstein.

The inquiry comes as several UK police forces continue examining material linked to the release of Epstein-related files. The National Police Chiefs’ Council has said there is no single national investigation, but multiple forces are assessing whether the material points to further offenses, suspects, victims or witnesses.