- - King Charles and Queen Camilla Make First Appearance Since Monumental Statement About Ex-Prince Andrew

Janine HenniFebruary 11, 2026 at 7:58 PM

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(Left) King Charles and Queen Camilla on Feb. 11, 2026; (Right) Prince Andrew on Sept. 16, 2025

Yui Mok - WPA Pool/Getty; Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty

King Charles and Queen Camilla made their first appearance since Buckingham Palace released a major statement about the former Prince Andrew

The King and Queen visited an exhibition in London on Feb. 11

Buckingham Palace confirmed this week that it would cooperate with police if approached about a potential investigation involving Andrew

King Charles and Queen Camilla are stepping out for the first time since Buckingham Palace said it would cooperate with police if approached about a potential investigation involving the former Prince Andrew.

On Feb. 11, the King, 77, and Queen, 78, paid a joint visit to the new Turquoise Mountain exhibit at The Garrison Chapel in London as the charity commemorates its 20th anniversary. It doubled as their first official outing since the palace released the seismic statement earlier this week.

Andrew, 66, is the King's younger brother, and the palace statement addressed his "conduct" for the first time since he and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, were mentioned numerous times in the latest tranche of files released by the U.S. Department of Justice relating to the investigation of the late Jeffrey Epstein on Jan. 30.

The palace statement began, "The King has made clear, in words and through unprecedented actions, his profound concern at allegations which continue to come to light in respect of Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor’s conduct. While the specific claims in question are for Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor to address, if we are approached by Thames Valley Police, we stand ready to support them as you would expect."

King Charles visits an exhibition held at Garrison Chapel in London to mark the 20th anniversary of Turquoise Mountain on Feb. 11, 2026.

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"As was previously stated, Their Majesties’ thoughts and sympathies have been, and remain with, the victims of any and all forms of abuse," it closed.

The update came after it emerged that the Thames Valley Police was investigating a complaint alleging that Andrew shared confidential information related to his role as a trade envoy with Epstein. The complaint was raised by the anti-monarchy group Republic, and the Thames Valley Police confirmed to the BBC that it had received the complaint and was assessing whether there were grounds for an investigation.

The former Duke of York, now called Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, served as the U.K.'s special representative for international trade and investment from 2001 to 2011 and allegedly shared confidential documents with Epstein during that time. Andrew's relationship with the American financier and convicted sex offender, who died while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges in August 2019, set his step back from public life in motion later that year. Andrew has denied any wrongdoing.

Prince Andrew and King Charles at the Duchess of Kent's funeral in London on Sept. 16, 2025.

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In November 2010, Andrew apparently forwarded Epstein an email containing reports from his trips to Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong and China in his role as a trade envoy. Another email that Andrew sent Epstein in December 2010 said a "confidential brief" was attached about investment opportunities in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan.

Confidentiality is expected from the British government's trade envoys. According to the BBC, official guidance about the job stipulates that "the role of a Trade Envoy carries with it a duty of confidentiality in relation to information received. This may include sensitive, commercial, or political information shared about relevant markets/visits."

"This duty of confidentiality will continue to apply after the expiry of their term of office. In addition, the Official Secrets Acts 1911 and 1989 will apply," it said.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor horseback rides at Windsor Castle on Jan. 26, 2026.

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Andrew stepped back from his working royal role in November 2019 following a BBC Newsnight interview in which he discussed his ties to Epstein. Queen Elizabeth stripped her son of his military titles and patronages in January 2022, after a judge rejected his attempt to have Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre’s sexual assault lawsuit against him dismissed. Andrew has repeatedly denied Giuffre’s allegations and reached a settlement with her in 2022; she died by suicide at age 41 in April 2025.

In October of last year, Andrew announced that he was relinquishing use of his royal titles and honors before the publication of Giuffre's posthumous memoir, Nobody's Girl. The book drew new attention to her allegations that Epstein trafficked her to Andrew and emails leaked in October also showed that Andrew was in contact with Epstein after he had claimed to have ended the relationship.

Later that month, the King launched the process of removing his brother's royal style, titles and honors in a transition made official on Nov. 3.

The latest release of Epstein files has sparked new scrutiny of Andrew and Ferguson's links to the disgraced financier, with Prince William, Kate Middleton and Prince Edward all breaking their silence on the Epstein files in recent days.

Queen Camilla and King Charles on Feb. 11, 2026.

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King Charles' Oct. 30 announcement about stripping Andrew's princely title emphasized that he and Queen Camilla "wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse."

The Queen has long made supporting the survivors of sexual and domestic abuse a top priority of her royal work.

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