The Prince and Princess of Wales issued their comments as fresh revelations continue to engulf the Royal Family and the government. It marks the first time their position on the crisis has been made known.
As Prince William travelled to Saudi Arabia for a three-day tour — beginning with a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman — Kensington Palace made clear that the couple wanted their stance to be understood before the visit began.
A spokesperson said: “I can confirm that the Prince and Princess of Wales have been deeply concerned by the continued revelations.
“Their thoughts remain focused on the victims.”
The timing suggested a desire to draw a line under questions surrounding the scandal so William could concentrate on what is expected to be one of the most diplomatically significant overseas trips of his royal career.
Echoing the King and Queen
William and Kate’s remarks mirror the position previously expressed by King Charles and Queen Camilla, who were the first senior royals to speak publicly in support of those abused by Jeffrey Epstein.
Last October, Charles and Camilla said: “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.”
Since the release of millions of documents by US authorities linked to Epstein, much of the Royal Family’s work has been overshadowed by renewed controversy.
Fresh Allegations Against Prince Andrew
The document release reignited scrutiny of Prince Andrew, with a series of new allegations emerging. Police have also launched an investigation into Lord Peter Mandelson over alleged misconduct in public office.
Among the claims are that a second woman was allegedly sent to the UK by Epstein for a sexual encounter with Andrew, and that Andrew and Epstein once asked an exotic dancer to participate in a threesome at Epstein’s Florida home. There are also allegations that Andrew shared confidential reports from official visits to Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore while serving as the UK’s trade envoy.
The former duke, who was stripped of his titles by the King last year, has consistently denied any wrongdoing. Last week, he left Royal Lodge and relocated to the Sandringham estate.
The latest batch of documents reportedly includes images appearing to show Andrew crouched beside an unidentified woman in what is said to be Epstein’s New York mansion.
In 2022, Andrew paid millions of pounds to Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexual abuse, while maintaining he had never met her. Following the posthumous publication of Ms Giuffre’s book — in which she alleges she was trafficked by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at the age of 17 — the King formally removed Andrew’s titles.
A Move to Norfolk
Earlier this month, Andrew moved out of Royal Lodge in Windsor to a property on the King’s Sandringham estate in Norfolk. The Sun reported he is temporarily staying at Wood Farm Cottage while his new home, Marsh Farm, is being prepared. He is expected to move there permanently by early April.
Although Andrew still holds the lease on Royal Lodge until October and may be seen there occasionally as the move is completed, the relocation was reportedly planned before the latest revelations and is not believed to be directly connected to them.
Remembering the Victims
The Duke of Edinburgh was the first royal to comment publicly after the latest document release. Asked how he was “coping”, he replied that it was important to “remember the victims”.
Epstein, the financier at the centre of the scandal, was found dead in his prison cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on charges of running a global child sex abuse network. His former partner, Ghislaine Maxwell, is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in recruiting victims.
As further details continue to emerge, senior members of the Royal Family have sought to emphasise one consistent message: their support lies firmly with those who suffered abuse.
