Palace officials – A BBC News report claims Buckingham Palace received evidence in 2020—about 30,000 emails—suggesting ex-Prince Andrew shared confidential government information while serving as a trade envoy. Andrew denies wrongdoing, but Jess Michaels says the Palace knew he
The timeline described in the latest report feels like a punch you don’t recover from.
In 2020. officials at Buckingham Palace were reportedly handed evidence suggesting then-executive royal Andrew Mountbatten Windsor was sharing confidential government information while serving as a trade envoy. If the allegations are correct. the question now cutting through every new detail is not whether Andrew faced scrutiny earlier this year—it’s why action didn’t follow sooner.
The claim comes from a bombshell BBC News report published over the weekend. It says roughly 30,000 emails were delivered to the Lord Chamberlain, the most senior officer in the royal household. The emails allegedly included information relating to Andrew’s handling of protected materials. and they were reportedly obtained from one of his personal business associates.
Andrew was arrested earlier this year on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The allegation at the heart of the case is that he forwarded confidential trade documents to the late Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew has denied wrongdoing and continues to reject all accusations against him.
For critics. the new reporting doesn’t just reopen the scandal—it stresses a different kind of fracture inside the institution. Jess Michaels. who has long spoken publicly about the fallout from the Epstein scandal. says the Palace already knew Andrew wasn’t just “a problem. ” but someone who could face a criminal investigation.
Speaking to the Telegraph, Michaels said: “Six years ago, the Palace knew Andrew wasn’t just a problem; he could face a criminal investigation. And they sat on it.”
Michaels’ remarks land with particular force because Virginia Giuffre—whose allegations against both Epstein and Andrew helped keep public attention locked on the controversy for years—died by suicide in April 2025. Michaels argued that loyalty to powerful figures came at a devastating human cost.
She added: “Protecting him meant doubting her. Virginia Roberts Giuffre was telling the truth, and she didn’t live to see them admit it. That breaks my heart and it should break everyone’s. This is what institutions do. They protect powerful men and leave the people they harmed to carry it.”
The Palace is refusing to discuss the allegations in detail. In a statement provided to the BBC, officials said: “Since there is an ongoing police enquiry concerning Mr Mountbatten-Windsor, it is not possible to provide any comment on these matters.”
When Andrew’s arrest became public earlier this year, the royal family did respond. King Charles expressed concern while emphasizing that the matter should be handled through the proper legal channels.
Now. with the investigation continuing. the new claims are likely to intensify scrutiny—not only of Andrew himself. but of the process and decisions that surrounded him years before the arrest. Whether the latest evidence leads to new revelations remains to be seen. But the pressure for accountability inside the Palace is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
Buckingham Palace Prince Andrew Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Lord Chamberlain BBC News confidential information trade envoy Epstein Jeffrey Epstein misconduct in public office Jess Michaels Virginia Giuffre Telegraph police enquiry King Charles
Wait so they got 30,000 emails in 2020 and just… did nothing?
I don’t even know what “Lord Chamberlain” is but 30,000 emails sounds like way too much to ignore. Andrew always had shady vibes to me.
This is probably getting twisted. Like emails can mean anything, he could’ve been forwarding stuff for work? Also they say it was confidential government info but like… confidential how? I’m not saying he’s innocent, just that everybody jumps to conclusions.
The palace sitting on it for years is wild. If they “knew” six years ago then that’s basically negligence? And now suddenly there’s an arrest on suspicion, but we’re just hearing it now?? I swear royal stuff is always covered up until someone gets caught.