Prince William and Kate, the Prince and Princess of Wales, have expressed deep concern over the latest revelations emerging from the Jeffrey Epstein files, marking the first time they have publicly addressed the scandal engulfing Britain’s royal family.
A spokesperson for Kensington Palace said the couple were “deeply concerned by the continued revelations” and emphasized that “their thoughts remain focused on the victims.” The statement was delivered to reporters in Riyadh, shortly before Prince William began a three-day official visit to Saudi Arabia.
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Kate, the Prince and Princess of Wales and Prince William
(Photo: Alberto Pezzali/ AP)
The comments come after millions of newly released documents linked to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein reignited allegations involving Prince Andrew, William’s uncle, and intensified scrutiny of the monarchy’s handling of the affair.
According to British and international media reports, the newly disclosed materials include claims that Epstein sent a second woman to the United Kingdom for a sexual encounter with Andrew, and that Andrew and Epstein allegedly solicited an exotic dancer for a sexual encounter at Epstein’s Florida residence. Additional allegations suggest Andrew shared confidential reports from official visits to Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore during his tenure as the UK’s trade envoy.
Prince Andrew, who was stripped of his royal titles and HRH style by King Charles last year, has consistently denied all wrongdoing. In 2022, he paid millions of pounds to settle a civil sexual assault lawsuit brought by Virginia Giuffre, while maintaining he had never met her. Giuffre, who alleged she was trafficked by Epstein and forced to have sex with Andrew when she was 17, died by suicide last year.
The scandal has increasingly overshadowed the work of the royal family. Last week, Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, became the first senior royal to comment publicly since the release of the documents, saying it was vital to “remember the victims” when asked about the renewed scrutiny.
In October, King Charles and Queen Camilla also issued a statement underscoring their support for victims and survivors of abuse, saying their “thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain, with the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.”
William and Kate were reported to have supported the King’s decision to formally strip Andrew of his remaining titles, a move that effectively ended his public royal role. Andrew has since left Royal Lodge and relocated to the Sandringham estate.
Kensington Palace sources indicated that the timing of the statement reflected a desire to clarify the couple’s position ahead of William’s Middle East visit, allowing him to focus on what aides described as the most significant diplomatic tour of his international role to date.