LONDON — Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Prince and Princess of Wales, have publicly expressed their concern over the latest revelations from the Jeffrey Epstein files, emphasizing their support for the victims of the late sex offender's crimes. In a statement released on February 9, a Kensington Palace spokesperson said, "I can confirm The Prince and Princess have been deeply concerned by the continuing revelations." The message added, "Their thoughts remain focused on the victims."
The comments come amid the U.S. Department of Justice's ongoing release of millions of documents related to Epstein, the financier convicted of sex trafficking who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal charges. The files, unsealed in batches over recent months, detail Epstein's vast social network, including high-profile figures from politics, business, and royalty. Among those named is Prince Andrew, the younger brother of King Charles III and uncle to William and his brother, Prince Harry.
Prince Andrew, now referred to as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor following the stripping of his royal titles, has long been linked to Epstein through their friendship that dated back to the 1990s. The documents highlight alleged interactions, including Epstein's communications with Andrew's ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson. In a March 2010 email reviewed by E! News on February 2, Epstein invited Ferguson to New York, to which she replied, "Not sure yet. Just waiting for Eugenie to come back from a shagging weekend!!" The email referenced their daughter, Princess Eugenie, then 19 years old. Representatives for Ferguson and Buckingham Palace did not respond to requests for comment at the time.
The Epstein case has cast a long shadow over the British royal family, prompting several members to distance themselves from Andrew and reiterate solidarity with survivors. Prince Edward, Andrew's younger brother and the youngest child of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, spoke out during a CNN broadcast from the World Governments Summit in Dubai on February 3. "I think it's all really important always to remember the victims," Edward said, adding, "and who are the victims in all this, a lot of victims in all this."
King Charles III and Queen Camilla have also addressed the fallout. In an October statement from Buckingham Palace, the palace explained the decision to remove Andrew's military affiliations and public duties, stating, "These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him." The statement continued, "Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse."
Andrew, 65, has consistently denied any wrongdoing. He settled a civil lawsuit in 2022 brought by Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein's accusers who alleged Andrew sexually abused her as a teenager—a claim he has vehemently rejected. In his statement accompanying the title stripping, Andrew said, "With His Majesty's agreement, we feel I must now go a step further." He added, "I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me." The settlement with Giuffre, reportedly for millions of pounds, did not include an admission of liability.
The Epstein documents, first unsealed in early 2024 from a defamation case involving Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell—Epstein's former associate convicted in 2021 of sex trafficking—have revealed depositions, emails, and flight logs from Epstein's private jet, dubbed the "Lolita Express." While many names were already public, the latest batches have renewed scrutiny on Epstein's connections to global elites. Buckingham Palace has maintained that Andrew had no knowledge of Epstein's criminal activities during their association, which reportedly ended in 2008 after Epstein's initial conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor in Florida.
William and Middleton's statement marks a rare direct response from the couple to the scandal, which has simmered in the background of royal duties. The Prince and Princess of Wales, who reside primarily at Kensington Palace in London, have focused much of their public work on mental health, early childhood development, and environmental issues. Middleton, 44, recently marked her birthday on January 9 with a reflective video message on the healing power of nature, saying in a voiceover, "Even in the coldest, darkest season, winter has a way of bringing us stillness, patience and quiet consideration." She added, "I find myself reflecting on how deeply grateful I am."
Their appearance together at Charing Cross Hospital in London earlier this year—Middleton's first public outing of 2026—underscored her return to duties following a cancer diagnosis announced in 2024, from which she entered remission nearly a year later. The hospital visit supported healthcare workers, a cause close to the couple amid ongoing global health challenges.
Beyond the immediate family, the Epstein revelations have intersected with other royal news. Prince Harry, William's brother and Andrew's nephew, has been embroiled in his own legal battles against British tabloids. On January 19, Harry appeared at London's High Court for the start of a trial against Associated Newspapers, publishers of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday, alleging unlawful information gathering. The lawsuit, joined by celebrities like Elton John and Elizabeth Hurley, claims the outlet used private investigators to snoop on plaintiffs. Associated Newspapers has "vigorously denied" the allegations, according to the BBC.
Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, celebrated a lighter milestone amid the tensions, marking 10 years together on January 16 with an Instagram post. The couple shared a black-and-white video of themselves dancing in their backyard, filmed by their 4-year-old daughter, Lilibet. Meghan captioned it, "cred: our daughter," alongside a throwback photo from their early dating days, writing, "When 2026 feels just like 2016… You had to be there." The Sussexes, who stepped back from senior royal roles in 2020 and now live in California, have occasionally commented on family matters but remained silent on the Epstein files specifically.
The scandal's ripple effects extend to other European royals. In Norway, Marius Borg Høiby, the 29-year-old son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit and stepson of Crown Prince Haakon, was arrested on February 1 for assault, threats with a knife, and violating a restraining order, according to Oslo police. He faces a separate trial starting February 3 on four counts of alleged rape between 2018 and 2024, plus violence charges. His attorney, Petar Sekulic, said Høiby "denies all charges of sexual abuse, as well as the majority of the charges regarding violence." Høiby, who holds no royal title, is detained for up to four weeks pending appeal.
Elsewhere, positive news tempered the week's royal coverage. Flora Vesterberg, granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II's first cousin Princess Alexandra, announced her pregnancy on January 19 via Instagram: "Delighted to share that Timothy and I are expecting our first child. We're truly over the moon." And the Greek royal family mourned the death of Princess Irene, sister of Queen Sofia of Spain, who passed away on January 15, 2026, at age 83 in Madrid's Zarzuela Palace. Her funeral was held on January 19 at Athens' Metropolitan Cathedral, with burial at the Royal Cemetery of Tatoi.
As more Epstein documents are expected to be released, the royal family's responses highlight a unified stance on victim support while navigating the personal and institutional fallout. Buckingham Palace officials have indicated no further comments beyond existing statements, but the revelations continue to fuel public and media interest in the monarchy's ties to controversial figures. For the Waleses, whose future roles are seen as pivotal to the institution's modernization, the episode underscores the challenges of balancing tradition with contemporary accountability.
The broader implications for the British royals remain unclear, with ongoing lawsuits and document releases likely to keep the story in headlines. Victims' advocates have praised the family's expressions of sympathy, though some critics argue for greater transparency. As King Charles III, 77, focuses on his reign's early years, including health concerns of his own, the Epstein saga serves as a reminder of unresolved shadows from the past.