A major police probe into Andrew Windsor’s past links to Jeffrey Epstein has sent shockwaves through his former royal staff, with anxiety spreading far beyond his official protection officers. Windsor, the former Duke of York and younger brother of King Charles III, has faced scrutiny over his relationship with the convicted s– offender Epstein, who was at the center of a global trafficking network before his death in 2019.
Windsor, who was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, has denied any wrongdoing connected to Epstein. Investigators are now sifting through millions of documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice as part of the wider Epstein inquiry. They are particularly interested in whether members of Windsor’s security detail or household staff were aware of any suspicious activity during visits linked to the financier.
The inquiry has reached into the ranks of former royal protection officers, with detectives speaking to at least one senior police officer who oversaw security operations at Buckingham Palace. This outreach has left those who once worked around Windsor nervous about being interviewed and potentially implicated in any wrongdoing.
Former staff members are being encouraged to share even the most minor recollections about Windsor’s behavior if it now appears questionable in hindsight. Investigators want to reconstruct exactly what everyone knew at the time and whether there were any concerns raised internally about Windsor’s visits to Epstein’s properties, including a townhouse in New York that has been central to numerous allegations.
The nature of royal protection assignments, where officers spend long periods around high-profile figures, could complicate matters for investigators. There is a risk that officers may become too familiar with the individuals they are tasked with protecting, blurring professional boundaries and potentially enabling, ignoring, or covering up illegal behavior.
Overall, the investigation is focused on understanding what individuals observed at the time and whether there is any information that could shed light on the wider picture. While former staff members may be nervous about being interviewed, the goal is to uncover the truth and hold accountable anyone who may have been complicit in any wrongdoing.
