King Charles III has authorized the opening of Buckingham Palace archives to police investigating Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, The Observer reports. According to a source cited by the newspaper, investigators will be granted access to documents, correspondence, and government materials related to Andrew’s activities during his tenure as the United Kingdom’s trade representative.
The allegations against Andrew center on his actions in 2010, when he served as the UK’s Special Representative for International Trade and Investment. As reported by The Wall Street Journal, during this period he forwarded confidential government reports to the American financier Jeffrey Epstein. These included, among other things, materials summarizing official visits to Vietnam, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Shenzhen. According to documents published by the US government, Epstein in return advised the prince on whom he should meet during his trips to China.
In addition, Andrew passed on to Epstein a classified briefing from a UK-led multilateral group operating in Afghanistan, as well as correspondence with UAE investment banker Terence Allen discussing the details of the restructuring of the Royal Bank of Scotland.
It was these episodes—not the allegations related to sexual crimes or his personal relationship with Epstein—that formed the basis for the former prince’s detention, the WSJ notes. After questioning, Andrew was released, but the investigation is ongoing. The Observer reports that police also intend to continue searches at the residence in Berkshire near Windsor, where Andrew had been living until early February.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the younger brother of King Charles III, was detained on February 19, his 66th birthday, on suspicion of abuse of office. At the time of his detention, the official grounds were not disclosed, and speculation focused on a possible link to his friendship with Epstein and suspicions of sexual offenses.
Files from Epstein’s archive, released in recent months by the US Department of Justice, show that Andrew maintained regular correspondence with the financier. The exchanges covered potential business deals, social engagements, and women whom Epstein proposed introducing to the prince. Some of them were received by Andrew at Buckingham Palace. The materials also include photographs showing Andrew sitting astride a woman lying on the floor.
In October 2025, Buckingham Palace stripped Prince Andrew of all his titles and announced that he must vacate Royal Lodge in Windsor. In February, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer publicly urged Andrew to testify before the US Congress in the Jeffrey Epstein case.