Epstein Document Release: New Scandals Shake European Royal Houses

The recent disclosure of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein by the United States Department of Justice has ignited a fresh wave of controversy, directly impacting several European royal families and intensifying existing institutional crises. These materials, made public in February 2026, have brought to light previously undisclosed connections and interactions with the convicted financier. The revelations have placed a renewed spotlight on the ethical standards and accountability of elite global networks as the public demands transparency regarding these high-level associations.

In the United Kingdom, public scrutiny of the Royal Family reached a boiling point on February 5, 2026. During a scheduled public appearance in Dedham, Essex, King Charles III was directly confronted by a heckler. The individual pointedly questioned the monarch on whether he had exerted influence over the police to protect his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, following the release of millions of pages of related documentation. This public challenge underscores the growing tension surrounding the monarchy's handling of the scandal and the perceived lack of accountability for its members.

The situation for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as the Duke of York, has become increasingly precarious. Reports indicate he vacated his long-time residence, Royal Lodge, on February 3, 2026, ahead of schedule. This move was reportedly prompted by King Charles's profound dissatisfaction with his brother's public profile as the scandal escalated. Currently, the former Duke is staying at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate while awaiting the completion of renovations at Marsh Farm, which are expected to conclude by early April 2026.

Simultaneously, legal pressure continues to mount as the Thames Valley Police begin evaluating information regarding a second alleged victim. This individual claims she was transported to the United Kingdom specifically for sexual encounters with Andrew at Royal Lodge in 2010. The newly released files include an undated photograph of Andrew with an unidentified woman and emails suggesting he invited Epstein to dinner at Buckingham Palace as recently as after 2020. Furthermore, images depicting Mountbatten-Windsor in compromising positions over an unidentified woman have further fueled public outrage. These 2010 allegations fall under the jurisdiction of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, distinguishing them from the 2001 claims previously made by Virginia Giuffre.

Norway is also grappling with a significant royal crisis centered on Crown Princess Mette-Marit. Documents released in late January and early February 2026 contain approximately 1,000 mentions of her name. These files provide a detailed account of her association with Epstein, which appears to have lasted from 2011 to 2014—a timeframe that exceeds her previous public admissions. New evidence suggests she stayed at Epstein’s Palm Beach residence in 2013, contradicting earlier palace statements that she had never visited his private properties.

The correspondence revealed even more troubling details, including Epstein offering the Princess various cosmetic procedures. One email from 2012 showed Mette-Marit inquiring about using images of nude women as wallpaper for her son, Marius Borg Høiby, who was 15 at the time. In another 2012 message, she reportedly remarked that Paris was "good for adultery" and suggested that "Scandinavians are the best material for wives." Following these disclosures, the organization 'Sex og Samfunn' immediately terminated its patronage of the Crown Princess, citing the gravity of the revelations and their incompatibility with the organization's values.

This scandal coincides with the high-profile trial of her son, Marius Borg Høiby. On February 3, 2026, he appeared before the Oslo District Court to face 38 criminal counts, including allegations of rape and sexual assault. Prosecutors have described the case as one of the most complex and serious rape investigations in Norway's modern history. For his part, Høiby has maintained a plea of not guilty regarding the most severe charges brought against him, though the legal proceedings continue to cast a shadow over the Norwegian monarchy.

Beyond the European continent, the February document dump included an unverified email purportedly from a former employee at Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch in New Mexico. The message, sent in November 2019 to New Mexico radio host Eddie Aragon, alleged that Epstein ordered the burial of two "foreign girls" near the property after they were killed during sexual acts. The email also implicated a figure referred to as "Madam G" in a cover-up. While Aragon forwarded the information to the FBI, where it was logged as a 'Guardian' complaint form, the ranch was never searched based on these specific claims. Investigators suggest the email, which demanded a bitcoin ransom for evidence, may have been an extortion attempt, leaving the burial allegations unproven despite ongoing legislative inquiries into Epstein's activities at the ranch.