British police have confirmed they are in contact with criminal prosecutors as part of an ongoing assessment into allegations that former Prince Andrew may have shared confidential documents with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. The development marks the latest turn in a case that continues to draw intense public and media scrutiny due to Andrew’s past association with Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died in a U.S. jail in 2019.
Thames Valley Police, the force responsible for the area where Prince Andrew resides, said it has spoken with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to evaluate whether the allegations meet the threshold for a full criminal investigation. At this stage, authorities have stressed that no formal investigation has been launched and that no charges have been brought against the Duke of York.
The allegations stem from recently disclosed documents and correspondence linked to Epstein, often referred to as the “Epstein files.” These materials include emails that reportedly suggest Prince Andrew may have shared information related to his former role as the UK’s special trade envoy. That position, which he held between 2001 and 2011, granted him access to sensitive government briefings and reports connected to international trade and diplomatic engagements.
According to reports, some of the documents allegedly shared with Epstein may have included internal assessments of economic opportunities and political conditions in foreign countries. Legal experts note that if such information were classified or deemed confidential, its unauthorized disclosure could potentially fall under the offence of misconduct in public office. However, proving such a case would require clear evidence that the material was both restricted and shared knowingly and improperly.
Police officials have emphasized that consulting prosecutors is a routine step in complex or high-profile cases. The CPS provides early legal guidance to help determine whether the available information could realistically support criminal charges, should a formal investigation proceed. A spokesperson for the CPS confirmed that while discussions have taken place, no formal request for charging advice has yet been made.
Prince Andrew has strongly denied any wrongdoing. Through previous statements, he has maintained that he never engaged in illegal conduct and that his interactions with Epstein did not involve the misuse of his official position. Buckingham Palace has declined to comment directly on the allegations but has indicated that the King would cooperate with any lawful investigation if required.
Public reaction in the UK has been mixed but intense. Anti-monarchy campaign groups have called for a thorough and transparent investigation, arguing that no individual should be seen as above the law. Others have urged caution, noting that the current process remains an assessment rather than a criminal probe and warning against drawing conclusions before facts are established.
The renewed focus on Prince Andrew comes years after he stepped back from public duties following a separate civil lawsuit in the United States related to Epstein. That case was settled out of court in 2022, without an admission of liability.
For now, the situation remains fluid. Police say they will continue reviewing the available material and will decide in due course whether the legal threshold for a full investigation has been met. Until then, the case stands as another reminder of the long shadow cast by the Epstein scandal and its continuing repercussions for prominent figures linked to him.
