Home > FEATURES & SCANDALS

Fresh Trouble for Andrew as 7 Police Forces Launch Probe Into Epstein Trafficking Claims

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor attends the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth; (Inset) A mugshot of Jeffrey Epstein. Cover Image Source: Getty Images| Hannah McKay - WPA Pool; (Inset) Kypros
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor attends the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth; (Inset) A mugshot of Jeffrey Epstein. Cover Image Source: Getty Images| Hannah McKay - WPA Pool; (Inset) Kypros
Feb. 18 2026, Published 04:23 AM. ET
Link to Facebook Share to X Share to Flipboard Share to Email

Trigger Warning: This article contains themes of child sexual abuse that some readers may find distressing.

For Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who's now long shadowed by controversy, another serious problem has emerged. According to a new report, seven police forces are assessing s-- trafficking allegations against him linked to Jeffrey Epstein. It follows the release of the latest Epstein files, which detail women being flown in and out of the UK, including through Stansted Airport. The London Airport is infamously linked to the former Prince through flight records connected to the disgraced financier.

Prince Andrew attends a Christmas lunch for members of the Royal Family hosted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. (Image Source: Getty Images | Max Mumby/Indigo)
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor attends a Christmas lunch hosted by Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace. (Image Source: Getty Images | Max Mumby/Indigo)

As reported by The Sun, the probe will investigate the over 90 flights taken from Epstein's private Boeing 727–100 aircraft, nicknamed 'L----- Express,' that arrived at Stansted Airport's private terminal. Ex-PM Gordon Brown claimed that messages in the latest tranche linked Mountbatten-Windsor to at least one trafficked woman who was flown into Stansted on the 'L----- Express' before being sneaked into Buckingham Palace. Shortly after, the Essex Police confirmed, "We are assessing the information that has emerged in relation to private flights into and out of Stansted Airport following the publication of the US DoJ Epstein files."

(Melania Trump, Prince Andrew, Gwendolyn Beck, and Jeffrey Epstein at Palm Beach, Florida. Image Source: Getty Images| Davidoff Studios)
Melania Trump, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Gwendolyn Beck, and Jeffrey Epstein at Palm Beach. (Image Source: Getty Images| Davidoff Studios)

Along with the Essex Department, six other forces have either launched criminal investigations or are assessing evidence related to the serious crime. Thames Valley Police revealed that they are in contact with prosecutors regarding allegations against Mountbatten-Windsor during his time as the UK's trade envoy between 2001 and 2011. They are also reviewing claims that a woman in her twenties was flown to the UK by Epstein in 2010 for an alleged sexual encounter with him at Royal Lodge. Earlier this month, the former Duke of York vacated Royal Lodge in Windsor and relocated to Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate.

Additionally, Surrey Police are attempting to obtain unredacted files related to a child abuse claim involving Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Ghislaine Maxwell. The Bedfordshire Police are looking into flight movements through Luton Airport. Norfolk Police stated they were reviewing documents in the files "to ensure that all relevant information has been properly assessed." Meanwhile, the Met is liaising with the FBI as part of their investigation linked to Peter Mandelson, seeking access to unredacted records. The National Police Chiefs' Council has established a specialist group to coordinate operations with US law enforcement authorities.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor lying across row of women in photo during black-tie event with Ghislaine Maxwell has been released as part of the Epstein files.
Department of Justice
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, lying across a row of women alongside Ghislaine Maxwell. (Image Source: US Department of Justice)

Weighing in on the recent developments, Brown said Britain could not "escape its role in enabling this web of exploitation," insisting, "The emails tell us in graphic detail how Epstein was able to use Stansted Airport…to fly in girls from Latvia, Lithuania and Russia. His messages link at least one to Britain and former Prince Andrew. I have been told privately that the investigations related to the former Prince Andrew did not properly check vital evidence of flights." He continued, "It demands an in-depth police investigation, and is by far the biggest scandal of all," adding that Britain's unacknowledged role in sex trafficking had left him "shocked to the core."

If you know of any children who are being subjected to abuse, please contact The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at (800) 422-4453.

GET BREAKING ROYAL NEWS
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

More Stories