Police Scotland investigating time Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Epstein spent at Balmoral

Police Scotland is investigating the time that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell spent at Balmoral, the King's private estate in Scotland, according to The Guardian. The force said it had received information about the time Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor spent with Jeffrey Epstein at the estate.

Police Scotland, the force responsible for policing Scotland, said its active inquiries are at a "very early stage." It said all of its inquiries are evidence-led, with the needs of victim survivors at their heart. The force also said it would never confirm details of ongoing inquiries, and that it would be inappropriate to comment further.

The Daily Express reported that the inquiries relate to claims that women were trafficked to the Balmoral estate in the Scottish Highlands. Trafficking is the illegal movement of people for exploitation. The Guardian reported the Express account.

Pictures previously released by the US Department of Justice appear to show Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Jeffrey Epstein on a shooting trip at Balmoral, according to The Guardian.

Separately, the Metropolitan Police has been making initial inquiries into protection arrangements for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. The inquiries follow claims that protection officers turned a blind eye during visits to Epstein's island, as BBC News reported in February.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is also taking legal action against Thames Valley Police over search warrants issued before his arrest in February, BBC News reported in October.