Prince William and Princess Kate have publicly expressed they are“deeply concerned”about the ongoing revelations in the Epstein files, in the first direct comments from the Prince and Princess of Wales on the controversial documents. The statement from Kensington Palace highlights the couple’s focus on the victims of Epstein’s crimes after a massive tranche of previously confidential files was released by the U.S. Department of Justice, reigniting global scrutiny of the disgraced financier’s connections to powerful figures. Reuters first reported the palace’s statement on Monday.
The latest wave of disclosures stems from more than 3 million pages of documents, emails and communications related to Epstein’s network, originally made public at the end of January. The files, part of a prolonged transparency effort by the U.S. Justice Department, reveal extensive contacts between Epstein and elite figures across politics, business and royalty, many maintained even after Epstein’s conviction for soliciting a minor in 2008. Though no one named in the files has been charged in this phase of the investigation, the breadth of the material has sparked fresh headlines and political fallout across several countries.
Much of the recent controversy in the United Kingdom centres on Prince Andrew, the former Duke of York and uncle to the Prince of Wales, who is mentioned extensively in the released documents. Emails and records suggest Andrew maintained contact with Epstein long after Epstein’s conviction, including sharing confidential British trade information from his time as a trade envoy and corresponding about travel and other matters. Those revelations have added fuel to longstanding criticism of Andrew’s judgement and associations.
Andrew’s ties to Epstein first triggered public concern years ago, culminating in a high-profile civil lawsuit by Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexual abuse when she was a minor — allegations he has always denied but later settled in 2022. The scandal damaged his reputation and led to a dramatic shift in his royal status. In October 2024, King Charles III stripped Andrew of all royal titles, honours and military appointments. Since then, he has lived away from public duties, and his departure from his longtime residence at Royal Lodge near Windsor Castle was rushed forward amid the latest revelations, with Andrew now living on the Sandringham estate.
The new tranche of Epstein documents also includes allegations of sensitive conduct and personal interactions involving Andrew and others connected to Epstein, including claims that a second woman was trafficked to the UK for an encounter with him, and that he shared sensitive government reports with Epstein. There are ongoing police reviews of these matters, adding to the complexity and potential legal ramifications of the emerging material.
Against that backdrop, the statement from William and Kate marks a rare and carefully worded intervention from the British monarchy’s most senior working royals. Kensington Palace said the Prince and Princess of Wales were “deeply concerned by the continuing revelations” and that “their thoughts remain focused on the victims.” The comments came just hours before William’s official departure to Saudi Arabia for a three-day diplomatic visit, underscoring how the Epstein controversy has overshadowed other royal business.
The broader impact of the Epstein files extends beyond the royal family. British political figures and officials have also faced scrutiny, with investigations into whether associates of Epstein improperly shared confidential information. The scandal has placed renewed pressure on institutions and public figures linked, even tangentially, to the disgraced financier’s network.
