An FBI interview report says an alleged victim recalled another travelling massage therapist who came to Balmoral, as Police Scotland investigates Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s time there with Epstein.
The information comes from documents included in the so-called Epstein Files. A report of an FBI interview with an alleged victim, conducted in October 2020 and with her name redacted, shows she suggested a “traveling massage therapist” was brought to the royal estate in Scotland. The interviewed alleged victim said she met Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Duke of York, “a few times” but had “no strange experiences with him”.
A Skype message from April 2019, from user “jeevacation”, appears to show Epstein encouraging victims to visit Balmoral. The message says: “go to windsor in the country and balmoral I.go on tours of great country homes. lots to do.” Epstein is thought to have visited Balmoral in 1999, reportedly on the invitation of Mountbatten-Windsor.
Police Scotland last week said it had received information and that inquiries were ongoing but at a “very early stage”. A spokesperson said: “All inquiries are evidence-led, with the needs of victim survivors at the heart of those inquiries. We would never confirm details of ongoing inquiries and it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on 19 February, his 66th birthday, following allegations he shared sensitive information with Epstein during his time as the UK's trade envoy. He was interviewed under caution before being released under investigation. He denies wrongdoing, with the police probe ongoing.
Multiple forces, including Thames Valley Police, the Metropolitan Police and Surrey Police, also have live investigations linked to the release of the Epstein files, the National Police Chiefs’ Council confirmed. A NPCC spokesperson said: “Identifying any further potential offending, suspects, victims or witnesses is a complex process and will take time, but UK policing remains committed to carrying out a meticulous assessment of the material released by the US Department of Justice.”
Emails included in the released files also show an individual signing as “A” asking Maxwell for “inappropriate friends”. Another email from someone titled “The Invisible Man”, dated August 2001, appears to say they were at “Balmoral Summer Camp for the Royal Family” before asking Maxwell: “Have you found me some inappropriate friends?” In a March 2002 exchange, an email from Maxwell to The Invisible Man appears to say a message had been passed to an unnamed person; a message to that person said “Andrew” would be “very happy” if he did some “two-legged sightseeing”.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The Epstein case continues to draw in the British royal family, with police investigating whether offences occurred on the King's private estate.
- The investigation could lead to further charges against individuals linked to Epstein, including those who facilitated his access to vulnerable victims.
- The release of the Epstein files provides ongoing transparency about the scale of the operation and the networks involved.
Background
Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex trafficker, died in 2019 while in federal custody. His associate Ghislaine Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking offences. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Duke of York, has faced long-standing allegations over his friendship with Epstein. He stepped back from royal duties in 2019 and had his royal patronages removed in 2022. The US Department of Justice has been releasing files from its Epstein investigation, which have prompted multiple new inquiries in the UK.
Key Perspectives
Police Scotland: says it has received information and inquiries are at a “very early stage”, with the needs of victim survivors at the heart of the investigation.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor: denies wrongdoing. He was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office and released under investigation.
National Police Chiefs’ Council: says identifying further potential offending, suspects, victims or witnesses is complex and will take time.
What to Watch
- Any further victim or witness statements emerging from the ongoing assessment of the Epstein files by UK police forces.
- Whether Police Scotland escalates its inquiry or makes arrests in connection with the Balmoral visits.
- Potential further public scrutiny of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's past connections to Epstein and Maxwell as more documents are released.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe headline says FBI files report that an alleged victim suggested a massage therapist was brought to Balmoral.The Independent UK: “a report of an FBI interview with a victim, whose name was redacted, in October 2020 – included in the so-called Epstein Files shows the victim suggested a “traveling massage therapist” was brought to the royal estate in Scotland.”
- SupportedThe summary says police are investigating Epstein’s time at Balmoral with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Ghislaine Maxwell.The Independent UK: “Detectives last week said they are investigating the time convicted sex offender Epstein spent with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Ghislaine Maxwell at the King’s private estate in Scotland”
- SupportedThe summary says the probe is at a very early stage.The Independent UK: “Police Scotland said it had received “information” and a probe is at a “very early stage””
- SupportedThe FBI interview report was conducted in October 2020 and the interviewee’s name was redacted.The Independent UK: “a report of an FBI interview with a victim, whose name was redacted, in October 2020”
- SupportedThe interviewee said she met Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor “a few times” but had “no strange experiences with him”.The Independent UK: “The interviewed alleged victim said she met Mr Mountbatten-Windsor “a few times” but had “no strange experiences with him”.”
- SupportedAn April 2019 Skype message from “jeevacation” says: “go to windsor in the country and balmoral I.go on tours of great country homes. lots to do.”The Independent UK: “A Skype message from April of that year shows user “jeevacation” saying: “go to windsor in the country and balmoral I.go on tours of great country homes. lots to do.””
- SupportedThe Police Scotland spokesperson’s quoted statement says inquiries are evidence-led, prioritise victim survivors, and that the force would not confirm details or comment further.The Independent UK: ““All inquiries are evidence-led, with the needs of victim survivors at the heart of those inquiries. “We would never confirm details of ongoing inquiries and it would be inappropriate to comment further.””
- SupportedMountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on 19 February, his 66th birthday, following allegations he shared sensitive information with Epstein while UK trade envoy.The Independent UK: “The former Duke of York was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on February 19, his 66th birthday, following allegations he shared sensitive information with Epstein during his time as the UK’s trade envoy.”
- SupportedMultiple forces, including Thames Valley Police, the Metropolitan Police and Surrey Police, have live investigations linked to the Epstein files’ release, the NPCC confirmed.The Independent UK: “Multiple forces, including Thames Valley Police , the Metropolitan Police and Surrey Police, also have live investigations linked to the release of the Epstein files, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) confirmed.”
- SupportedThe NPCC spokesperson said identifying potential offending, suspects, victims or witnesses is complex and will take time, and UK policing is committed to assessing the released material.The Independent UK: ““Identifying any further potential offending, suspects, victims or witnesses is a complex process and will take time, but UK policing remains committed to carrying out a meticulous assessment of the material released by the US Department of Justice.””
- SupportedAn email dated 16 August 2001 appears to say the sender was at “Balmoral Summer Camp for the Royal Family” and asks Maxwell, “Have you found me some inappropriate friends?”The Independent UK: “Another email from the same individual, dated 16 August 2001, seems to state they were at “Balmoral Summer Camp for the Royal Family” before asking Maxwell: “Have you found me some inappropriate friends?””
- SupportedIn March 2002, an email from Maxwell to The Invisible Man appears to say a message had been passed to an unnamed person; that message said Andrew would be “very happy” if he did “two-legged sightseeing”.The Independent UK: “In March 2002, an email from Maxwell to The Invisible Man appears to say they had passed on a message to an unnamed individual, with that message beginning with: “I just gave Andrew your telephone no.” The message from Maxwell to the unidentified person also said “Andrew” would be “very happy” if he did some “two-legged sightseeing”.”