Police are investigating meetings between Epstein and Andrew.

Police Scotland has opened an investigation into allegations that women were trafficked to the Balmoral royal estate in the Scottish Highlands during visits by Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew. The inquiry focuses on a purported stay at the property in 1999 by the late American financier, his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, and Andrew, the younger brother of King Charles III. Authorities described the probe as being in its very early stages. The investigation follows the release of unsealed documents from the United States Department of Justice, which contained correspondence and photographs linking the trio to the Highland retreat. The primary focus of the current police activity is the allegation that victims of human trafficking were transported to the castle. A spokesperson for Police Scotland told the Daily Express that the force had received information regarding the incident and that active inquiries are ongoing. The department emphasized that the needs of survivors and victims remain central to the process, while refusing to confirm specific details about the nature of the active investigations. This latest move builds on previous actions taken by Scottish law enforcement. In February, Police Scotland issued a public appeal for information after records indicated that Andrew and Maxwell had arrived at Edinburgh Airport via Epstein’s private jet in September 2006. At that time, detectives expressed interest in speaking with anyone possessing relevant knowledge. Documents unsealed by US authorities provide the evidentiary basis for much of the scrutiny. These files include photographs showing Epstein and Maxwell relaxing inside Glen Beg Lodge on the Balmoral estate grounds. Other images depict Andrew and Epstein participating in a shooting trip in the area. One widely circulated photograph from 1999 shows Maxwell and Epstein sitting arm-in-arm in what is believed to be the Honka Hut within the Ballochbuie Forest. It is understood that the pair were invited to the Highlands by Andrew, who held the title of Duke of York at the time, for a weekend break. Further incriminating evidence cited in the reports includes an email dated August 16, 2001. The message, sent from Balmoral and signed with the initial "A," was addressed to Maxwell. In the text, the sender noted he was at the "Balmoral Summer Camp for the Royal Family" and asked how Los Angeles was doing. He explicitly inquired if Maxwell had found him "some new inappropriate friends." The sender mentioned he was available from August 25 to September 2 and wanted to travel to a warm location with "fun people" before returning to work. Flight logs included in the DOJ files corroborate movements related to the estate. They show that Andrew and Maxwell flew from Luton to Edinburgh on September 1, 2006. Two other passengers were listed on the manifest, one unidentified and the other named Crasnasky. Epstein was not present on that specific flight, as he had already been charged with sex offenses in Florida, a case that resulted in an 18-month prison sentence for soliciting sex from minors. The Balmoral estate holds significant historical weight for the British monarchy. Acquired privately by Queen Victoria in 1852, it served as a traditional summer residence for the Royal Family. Queen Elizabeth II died at the property in September 2022. Andrew’s association with Epstein has severely damaged his standing. Following further disclosures regarding his ties to the financier, King Charles III stripped Andrew of his royal titles. In February, Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The charges stemmed from allegations that he shared sensitive government information with Epstein while serving as a UK trade envoy. Andrew was questioned under oath and subsequently released under investigation, where he maintained his denial of all wrongdoing. Andrew has consistently rejected accusations that he participated in Epstein’s criminal activities. However, the relationship between the two men was well documented. Virginia Giuffre, a victim of Epstein who has since passed away, accused Andrew of abusing her when she was 17 years old. Andrew denied these claims but reached a settlement in a US civil lawsuit with Giuffre, reportedly for millions of dollars. The broader context involves the operation of a abuse ring by Epstein and Maxwell, which targeted young women and minors over many years. Recent investigative journalism, including a project coordinated by the European Investigative Collaborations, has detailed how Epstein utilized assistants to recruit new victims. One such assistant, referred to as Anya, was recruited through a fake modeling scout scheme before becoming complicit in finding additional women for Epstein. Other UK police forces are also engaged in related inquiries. The National Police Chiefs’ Council confirmed that Thames Valley Police, London’s Metropolitan Police, and Surrey Police are actively investigating leads derived from the unsealed Epstein Files. While the specific probe into Balmoral remains in its preliminary phase, the convergence of documentary evidence, flight data, and witness accounts continues to pressure authorities to clarify the extent of activities conducted at the royal estate. The investigation seeks to determine if the Highland property was used as a venue for the trafficking and abuse of women, a question that has occupied British authorities for some time.