An Inquiry Is Not a Charge: Police Scotland, Balmoral and the Andrew–Epstein Questions
Police Scotland says it is at a very early stage of inquiries into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Epstein and Maxwell at Balmoral. Here is how a Scottish case moves from police to prosecutor.
October 31, 2026 · 3 min read
Police Scotland confirmed on Friday that it is looking into the time Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell spent at Balmoral, the King's private estate. The force says it has received information and that its inquiries are at a very early stage. No one has been arrested or charged in Scotland, and police have not said what offence, if any, they are examining.
What police said. The force said it had "received information" and that active inquiries were ongoing, STV News reports. It also said the inquiries are evidence-led and centered on victim survivors, according to ABC News and The Associated Press, via NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth. ABC News says the statement named no one.
Where the trafficking claim comes from. The Daily Express first reported the inquiry and said it relates to claims that women were trafficked to the estate, the AP and STV News report. Police have not confirmed that. These are unproven claims.
His response. Andrew has repeatedly denied committing any crimes, the AP reports. ABC News says he has previously denied wrongdoing related to Epstein. Buckingham Palace told ABC News it does not speak for him and cannot comment on an ongoing police investigation.
A separate case in England. Thames Valley Police arrested him in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office, tied to his time as a UK trade envoy. He has not been charged, ABC News and STV News report.
Who decides in Scotland. Police investigate. A prosecutor called the procurator fiscal decides whether there is enough evidence and whether a prosecution is in the public interest, the Scottish Government's mygov.scot guide explains.
Her law firm's website has a plain-English guide for anyone told that CID, NCIS or OSI wants to interview them.