Police Scotland Probes Epstein and Andrew's Reported Stay at Balmoral Estate
Photo: The New York TimesPolice Scotland said it has received information and that active inquiries are under way, at a very early stage, into a reported stay by the late Jeffrey Epstein at the royal Balmoral estate. U.K. media reported the statement on Friday, October 30, 2026. Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting a sex-trafficking trial, is believed to have visited the estate in northeast Scotland in 1999 with Ghislaine Maxwell, his jailed ex-girlfriend and accomplice. The two are thought to have stayed at the invitation of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, who has acknowledged friendships with both but denied all wrongdoing. Images released earlier this year by the U.S. Department of Justice appeared to show Andrew on a shooting trip at Balmoral with Epstein. The Daily Express reported that the inquiries relate to alleged trafficking of women to the castle, which belonged to Queen Elizabeth II then and now belongs to King Charles III. At least ten U.K. police forces are examining links between Andrew, Epstein and Britain. Police Scotland had earlier appealed for information about Epstein's alleged chartering of private jets to transport women.
The right-leaning Daily Mail, in the piece provided, does not cover the investigation at all. Its October 31 article, headlined "Heirbnb!", is a travel feature on renting holiday properties on royal estates including Sandringham and Balmoral. It highlights a restored Victorian water tower in Norfolk, built in 1877, that costs £574 a night and sleeps two, and it mentions properties owned by King Charles. The excerpt carries no mention of Epstein, Andrew or police. The left-leaning NBC News and The New York Times both lead with the police inquiry. NBC cites the Justice Department images, while the Times names Maxwell and describes Balmoral as the royal family's Scottish retreat. The Hindu, an alternative source, adds the Police Scotland quote, the Daily Express trafficking claim and the ten-force figure.
How the sides differ Left sources lead with the Balmoral police inquiry; right sources offer a royal-estate holiday-rental feature instead; alternative sources add police quotes, trafficking allegations and the count of forces involved.
Headline, comparison and summary written by AI from the articles below. AI can make mistakes, so check the original articles before relying on a detail.
- The New York TimesPaywallPolice Investigate Former Prince Andrew and Epstein’s Time at Balmoral, Royal Estate in Scotland
NBC News and The New York Times lead with the Scottish police investigation into Andrew and Epstein at Balmoral, citing Justice Department images (NBC) and naming Ghislaine Maxwell (Times).
The Hindu relays U.K. media reports, quoting Police Scotland's brief statement and adding the Daily Express trafficking claim, the 1999 visit, Andrew's denial and the ten-force count.
The Daily Mail's piece is a travel feature on renting royal-estate holiday homes, including Balmoral and Sandringham, focused on prices and amenities, with no mention of the investigation in the excerpt.