Thames Valley Police, responsible for areas west of London including Windsor, have initiated an investigation following reports by media outlets. These reports involve emails indicating that the then-Prince shared updates with Jeffrey Epstein from a 2010 South East Asia tour, conducted in his role as Britain’s trade envoy.

An anti-monarchy advocate has reported the former prince for alleged misconduct in public office and potential violations of the UK’s Official Secrets Act. This follows the release of over 3 million documents by the US Justice Department, which included the emails in question.

“We acknowledge receiving this report and are reviewing the details according to our standard procedures,” stated Thames Valley Police in an official announcement.

In efforts to distance itself from the controversy, the royal family remained proactive on Monday. Prince William and Princess Catherine addressed the documents disclosed by the US, which expose the network of affluent individuals Epstein leveraged to abuse young women and girls, and highlight Mountbatten-Windsor’s enduring friendship with Epstein, even after his 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution.

A spokesperson for the Prince and Princess of Wales expressed that they are “deeply concerned by the ongoing revelations,” as Prince William embarked on an official visit to Saudi Arabia.

“Their sympathies continue to be with the victims,” the spokesperson added.

“Their thoughts remain focused on the victims.”

The jeopardy faced by the royal family could be seen on Monday when King Charles visited Lancashire, in north-west England. While most of the public clapped, cheered and waved British flags, one person shouted, “How long have you known about Andrew?”

Correspondence unearthed in recent days, as reporters continue to comb through the documents, appear to show that Mountbatten-Windsor forwarded copies of his reports from a 2010 tour of South East Asia to Epstein soon after he returned to Britain. An earlier email appears to show Andrew sharing his itinerary for the two-week trip to Hanoi, Saigon, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong with Epstein.

No new statement from Buckingham Palace

Charles and Queen Camilla, who has long campaigned against violence against women, haven’t commented directly on the newly released Epstein files, with Buckingham Palace instead referring the media to a statement the royal couple made last year as the scandal began to accelerate.

“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,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement released on October 30, when the king announced that Andrew would be stripped of his titles.

Thames Valley Police began its inquiry after Graham Smith, chief executive of the anti-monarchy group Republic, reported Mountbatten-Windsor for suspected abuse of public office and violations of Britain’s Official Secrets Act.

Smith, whose group seeks to replace the king with an elected head of state, compared Mountbatten-Windsor’s correspondence with Epstein to earlier revelations about Peter Mandelson, Britain’s former ambassador to the US, who is already the subject of a police investigation into whether he shared sensitive information with Epstein. Those communications were also revealed in the Justice Department documents.

“I cannot see any significant difference between these allegations and those against Peter Mandelson,” Smith said on social media.

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