Scottish police probe claims Jeffrey Epstein visited royal castle with Prince Andrew

Scottish police have opened an investigation into allegations that Prince Andrew, the brother of King Charles III, visited Balmoral Castle with Jeffrey Epstein — widely considered one of history's worst sex offenders — in 1999, BBC and other outlets reported, according to Yonhap.

The Daily Express had earlier reported that police were examining allegations that human trafficking of women took place during a stay at Balmoral Castle involving Andrew, Epstein and Epstein's accomplice and former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell.

Scottish police subsequently said the investigation into the visit was at a "very early stage" and declined to provide details on the scope of the probe, including whether human trafficking charges were being examined.

Balmoral Castle is the royal residence where the monarch traditionally spends the summer. In 1999, when Epstein may have visited, it was owned by Andrew's mother, Queen Elizabeth II. If the allegations prove true, it would mean one of history's most notorious sex offenders had gained access to a British royal palace.

The allegations that Andrew, Epstein and Maxwell visited Balmoral together stem from the so-called "Epstein files" released by the US Department of Justice. The files contained photographs that appeared to show Epstein and Maxwell on a hunting trip at Balmoral in 1999.

Other allegations arising from the Epstein files — including misconduct in public office — have prompted separate investigations by the London Metropolitan Police, Thames Valley Police and Surrey Police. The scandal has also taken a toll on the royal family. Andrew stepped down from all royal duties during Queen Elizabeth II's lifetime. King Charles III stripped Andrew of all honorary titles last year, and then of the princely title as well.

Meanwhile, Andrew has reportedly asked a court to rule on whether the arrest by police in connection with the Epstein files was lawful.

According to a report by the Daily Telegraph on Oct. 4 (local time), Andrew was arrested and questioned by police in February at a residence on the king's Sandringham estate. Photographs taken as Andrew was escorted home ran on the front pages of every major British newspaper, dealing a fresh blow to the royal family's reputation.

Thames Valley Police had obtained a warrant from a court to arrest Andrew at the Sandringham residence and conducted a search of Andrew's former home, Royal Lodge Windsor. Andrew is said to have asked a judge for a judicial review of whether the warrant was properly issued.

The Telegraph reported that a British royal challenging the legality of criminal proceedings would be the first such case since the trial of King Charles I in 1649.

Andrew has long faced allegations of having sexual relations with a woman who worked for Epstein from the time she was a minor. Earlier this year, the Epstein files also raised allegations that Andrew leaked government intelligence to Epstein while serving as a trade envoy.