King Charles has declared that he will grant police unrestricted access to all necessary files and records for investigations into his disgraced brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. The former prince was dramatically arrested on Thursday morning on suspicion of misconduct in a public office, sending shockwaves through royal circles.
Palace Fears of a Cover-Up Revelation
Courtiers are reportedly apprehensive that releasing these documents might unveil a cover-up, according to The Observer. However, a royal source emphasised to the newspaper that cooperation with the investigation would be "fully and wholeheartedly", aligning with the King's statement issued after his brother's detention. This arrest followed Thames Valley Police confirming it was "assessing" reports alleging Andrew shared confidential trade reports and investment opportunities with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein in 2010 and 2011, during his tenure as the UK's special trade envoy in Asia.
Transparency Push Amidst Worry
Despite King Charles's drive for transparency, anxiety reverberates through palace corridors. A royal source warned there is a risk investigators could discover that senior figures at Buckingham Palace "were aware of what Andrew was doing and covered it up". The palace declined to comment when questioned about potential searches at the King's official residence, where Andrew maintained a private office and apartment until 2022.
The source sought to distance King Charles and Prince William from any potential cover-ups, asserting to The Observer that such actions "would have been under earlier leadership", and they would not have been involved in such decisions. Andrew and Epstein were friends for over 15 years, adding complexity to the case.
Intensive Questioning and Property Searches
Andrew underwent an exhaustive 11-hour questioning session following his arrest and was photographed slumping in a Range Rover, attempting to evade cameras upon leaving Aylsham Police Investigation Centre. He had been residing at Wood Farm on the royal Sandringham estate in Norfolk after being evicted from his Windsor residence, Royal Lodge, by King Charles earlier this month.
Police have conducted searches at Wood Farm and are now combing through the seven-bedroom mansion Royal Lodge as part of their investigation. Authorities possess broad discretion to expand their probe if evidence of other offences surfaces during their examination of the former prince's files and possessions, with a commitment to "follow the evidence", as reported by The Observer.
Potential for Broader Charges
Senior criminal defence lawyer Marcus Johnstone highlighted that police "won't disregard" other offences uncovered while investigating the initial allegations. He told The Observer: "What they find on his devices might lead to more investigative work and more interviews. If they’re looking at one offence and they uncover another, they won’t disregard it." Johnstone specifically noted that if Andrew is found implicated in Epstein's sex-trafficking ring, police would pursue charges accordingly.
Investigation Widens to Staff and Protection Officers
The investigation has broadened to include Andrew's staff, with Scotland Yard requesting all royal protection officers who have worked with the disgraced royal to report any suspicions of wrongdoing. Former royal protection officer Paul Page has already claimed that "upwards of 40 women" visited Andrew at Buckingham Palace during his six-year guard duty there from 1998 to 2004.
This development underscores the escalating scope of the inquiry, as authorities meticulously sift through evidence that could have far-reaching implications for the monarchy and its adherence to legal and ethical standards.
