Police Scotland carrying out 'active inquiries' into Andrew and Epstein Balmoral visits

Police Scotland is in the initial stages of investigating allegations that late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein may have visited the royal Balmoral estate in Scotland in 1999, following an invitation from ex-prince Andrew. Epstein, who died in prison in 2019, was reportedly accompanied by his jailed ex-girlfriend and accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, who is also believed to have stayed at Balmoral.

The pair allegedly arrived as guests of Andrew, who has acknowledged their friendship but denies any wrongdoing. Police Scotland stated that inquiries are ongoing but are at an early stage, without providing further details. At least ten UK police forces are currently probing Andrew and Epstein's connections to Britain, with Police Scotland previously appealing for information about Epstein's alleged use of private jets to transport women through Edinburgh Airport.

The investigation is ongoing and separate from the recent legal proceedings against Andrew, who was briefly arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office related to Epstein and had previously won a legal challenge over unlawful search warrants.