William and Kate speak out for first time over Andrew’s involvement with Epstein
The Prince and Princess of Wales have issued an ‘unprecedented’ statement on the Epstein scandal.
The Royal couple said they were ‘deeply concerned’ by the information published in the Epstein Files, which has piled more pressure on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
Kensington Palace break their silence with Prince William en route to Saudi Arabia for the start of a three-day tour of the Middle East country.
Ahead of the visit, a spokesperson for the couple said: ‘I can confirm the Prince and Princess of Wales have been deeply concerned by the continuing revelations.
‘Their thoughts remain focused on the victims.’
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The statement comes after the Epstein Files appeared to show the ex-Prince shared confidential reports with the paedophile financier in his role as UK trade envoy.
Duncan Larcombe, a leading expert on the Royal Family, said the Kensington Palace intervention is ‘unprecedented’.
He told Metro: ‘What it tells us is William is furious with his uncle. He has clearly had enough of it.
‘That is a clear and public dig at his uncle. It is very rare for a Royal to turn on a Royal.’
The expert and former journalist said William and Kate are ‘showing they are aware that Andrew’s behaviour is threatening the monarchy itself.’
Mr Larcombe added: ‘William is about to do this big set-piece visit to Saudi Arabia.
‘This is an attempt to stop him being asked lots of questions about his uncle when he is trying to promote trade… It won’t work. It will only mean the complete visit is overshadowed.’
Andrew’s reputation has collapsed over revelations about his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, with the latest batch of documents released by the Department for Justice fuelling criticism of the ex-prince.
The former Duke of York has always denied any accusations of wrongdoing.
Images released by the Department of Justice in the US also appear to show him crouching over an unidentified woman in what appears to be Epstein’s New York mansion.
A letter released in the Epstein files also claimed that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor asked an exotic dancer for a threesome.
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