King Charles III has publicly expressed “profound concern” over renewed allegations against Prince Andrew tied to Jeffrey Epstein, signaling a stark break from the monarchy’s traditional silence and potentially ending Andrew’s remaining royal protections.

Charles Draws Line Between Crown and Scandal

King Charles III authorized Buckingham Palace to issue an unprecedented statement confirming his readiness to support Metropolitan Police as they investigate Prince Andrew’s connections to convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. The December 2024 declaration followed police confirmation of a criminal probe into non-recent sex offenses tied to the Epstein-Maxwell trafficking network. This marks the first time Charles explicitly addressed the scandal publicly, using language that distances the institution from his brother. The statement came after US court documents unsealed in late 2024 provided investigators with new evidence, prompting Operation Magnify’s renewed focus on Andrew’s activities during the early 2000s when Epstein hosted him at multiple properties.

King Charles III is ready to support a UK police investigation into former Prince Andrew over his links to Epstein. pic.twitter.com/qjzg0uhQVg

— Globe Eye News (@GlobeEyeNews) February 9, 2026

Decades of Associations Culminate in Police Action

Prince Andrew’s relationship with Epstein began in the 1990s and included a notorious 2001 visit where Virginia Giuffre, then 17, alleges she was trafficked to Andrew. He has consistently denied all accusations. The 2019 BBC Newsnight interview, where Andrew claimed he could not sweat and cited a Pizza Express alibi, triggered his withdrawal from public duties. By January 2022, Charles forced Andrew to settle Giuffre’s civil lawsuit for an estimated £12 million without admitting wrongdoing, simultaneously stripping him of HRH status and military titles. The 2024 unsealing of Epstein-related court files reignited scrutiny, providing Metropolitan Police with sufficient grounds to launch a formal investigation. Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s accomplice serving 20 years for sex trafficking, saw her appeal denied in February 2026, potentially strengthening the case against associates.

Police Interview and Ongoing Investigation

Metropolitan Police interviewed Prince Andrew voluntarily on January 15, 2026, without arrest, as part of their active investigation expected to conclude by third quarter 2026. Andrew’s representatives maintain he is cooperating fully and continues to assert his innocence. Charles escalated pressure by confirming in February 2026 that he personally reviewed evidence before reiterating Palace support for investigators. Simultaneously, Andrew was compelled to vacate Royal Lodge entirely, losing his last physical connection to royal privilege. The investigation operates independently under Commissioner Mark Rowley, though Palace cooperation signals Charles’s willingness to prioritize institutional credibility over familial loyalty. No charges have been filed, but the probe examines whether Andrew’s conduct violated UK law regarding sex offenses connected to the Epstein trafficking operation that ensnared dozens of underage victims.

King Charles was heckled on Monday over his brother Andrew’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

As the king greeted a gathered crowd in Clitheroe, England, a man was heard yelling, “Charles! How long have you known about Andrew and Epstein?” https://t.co/bseSWDMRnV pic.twitter.com/Gj96whSFNF

— ABC News (@ABC) February 9, 2026

Monarchy Faces Reputation Crisis and Public Backlash

The scandal has eroded public confidence in the royal family, with polling showing a 5% drop in favorability since the December 2024 statement, bringing overall trust to 55% according to Ipsos data from February 2026. Social media activity reflects growing republican sentiment, with the hashtag #AbolishMonarchy surging 20% following the investigation announcement. Tourism data reveals Windsor Castle visits declined 2% in 2025, attributed partially to Andrew-related negative press. Charles’s strategy appears focused on quarantining Andrew to preserve the monarchy’s long-term viability, a tactic experts suggest mirrors historical royal adaptations to scandal. Royal commentator Joe Little noted Charles is “drawing a clear line,” effectively ending Andrew’s royal era. The investigation tests whether transparency can restore credibility or whether deeper damage to the institution is inevitable if charges materialize.

Political and Constitutional Implications

The Labour government has expressed support for the Metropolitan Police investigation, framing cooperation as essential to equal justice regardless of status. This aligns with broader efforts to demonstrate no individual stands above the law, a principle conservative advocates typically champion but now see tested against elite privilege. Andrew’s dependence on Charles for financial support, including the now-terminated £3 million annual security funding, underscores the King’s leverage in forcing compliance. Legal analysts note the UK-US evidence-sharing framework proved critical, as American court documents provided the foundation for British investigators to act. If charges result, constitutional questions emerge about a royal’s criminal liability, though Andrew’s removal from working royal status in 2022 legally separates him from Crown functions. The case establishes precedent for holding powerful figures accountable, a development that resonates with Americans skeptical of elite immunity but raises concerns about politically motivated investigations.

Sources:

King Charles ‘ready to support’ police over claims about Prince Andrew

BBC News ongoing coverage of Prince Andrew investigation

Buckingham Palace ‘ready to support’ police if contacted over Andrew allegations

King Charles Backs Police Probe of Ex-Prince Andrew

UK king voices ‘concern’ as police probe ex-prince Andrew over Epstein