Scottish police launch early probe into 1999 Balmoral visit by Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell invited by Prince Andrew

Scottish police have opened a preliminary inquiry into an alleged 1999 visit by the late American sex‑offender Jeffrey Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell to the Balmoral estate in northeast Scotland. The visit is said to have been arranged at the invitation of Prince Andrew, now styled Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor. Epstein, who died in 2019 while serving a prison term before his sex‑trafficking trial, and Maxwell, who is currently incarcerated, are believed to have stayed at the royal property that belonged to Queen Elizabeth II at the time and is now owned by King Charles III. Police Scotland said it has received information and that investigations are at a very early stage, but offered no further details. The Daily Express linked the probe to alleged trafficking of women to the Scottish Highlands castle. Ten police forces across the United Kingdom are examining the connections between Andrew and Epstein. Earlier, Police Scotland appealed for tips about Epstein’s use of private jets that flew through Edinburgh Airport. The King stripped Andrew of his royal titles and removed him from Windsor last year after the scandal grew. Andrew was briefly detained in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office, and his home was searched, but a court later ruled the search warrants unlawful. He continues to deny any wrongdoing. The U.S. investigation has released photographs showing Epstein and Maxwell at Balmoral, adding fuel to the new line of inquiry. Virginia Giuffre’s accusations that she was trafficked to have sex with Andrew as a teenager remain a central focus; Andrew settled her U.S. civil suit in 2022 without admitting liability. Recent U.S. document releases include emails that appear to show Andrew sharing possibly confidential information with Epstein, prompting fresh scrutiny in the United Kingdom.

Context

The Balmoral estate has long been a private retreat for the British royal family, making any alleged illicit activity there highly sensitive. Investigations that span multiple police forces often indicate concerns about organized crime or cross‑border misconduct. Public interest remains high because the case ties together royalty, international crime allegations, and ongoing legal battles.