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Buckingham Palace has released a statement addressing allegations made against the former Duke of York, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

The statement addresses a Thames Valley Police investigation into claims the former prince shared confidential information with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein while working as the UK's trade envoy.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: "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.

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

In addition, the Prince and Princess of Wales are said to be "deeply concerned" about "continuing revelations" surrounding Andrew.

A Kensington Palace spokesman said: "I can confirm The Prince and Princess of Wales have been deeply concerned by the continuing revelations.

"Their thoughts remain focused on the victims."

The statement from Buckingham Palace comes after the King was greeting crowds in Clitheroe, Lancashire, where he was seen continuing with royal duties and participating in engagements.

Andrew, who was stripped of his titles by the King last year, has always denied any wrongdoing and last week finally left Royal Lodge for the King's private Sandringham estate, with Charles personally funding his new life.

Much of the work of the Royal Family in recent weeks has been overshadowed by the ongoing Epstein scandal, despite the King's attempts to draw a line under the matter when he banished Andrew in October by stripping him of his right to be a prince and of his dukedom.

In 2022, the late Queen stripped her son Andrew of his honorary military roles and he gave up using his HRH style, in a dramatic fallout from the civil sex case brought by Virginia Giuffre, who died last year from suicide.

Andrew paid millions to settle the civil sex case with her in 2022, despite insisting he had never met her. He also denies all allegations made against him.