Prince Edward becomes first Royal Family member to speak out about Andrew Epstein file picture

Prince Edward has become the first member of the Royal Family to directly address the inclusion of his brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in the latest Epstein files release.

Earlier this month, the US Department of Justice released 3.5 million more documents from the Jeffrey Epstein files, in which the former Duke of York and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson both appear numerous times.

Documents include an image of Mountbatten-Windsor on his hands and knees kneeling over an unidentified woman. He is also being accused of making unwanted advances against an exotic dancer, and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson appeared to confirm the existence of a son born to Epstein.

The 65-year-old has consistently 'strongly denied any wrongdoing' ,and being named in the Epstein files does not indicate any knowledge of the disgraced financier's criminal activity.

Prince Edward was questioned about his brother at a recent summit (Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Now Mountbatten-Windsor's younger brother Prince Edward has become the first member of the Royal Family to address the latest allegations, saying it is 'really important' to remember the victims.

The Duke of Edinburgh was faced with questions about the Epstein files while speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai. The 61-year-old responded by saying his thoughts were with Epstein's victims.

"Well, with the best will in the world, I'm not sure this is the audience that is probably the least bit interested in that," he told CNN reporter Eleni Giokos.

"They all came here to listen to education, solving the future, but no, I think it's all really important always to remember the victims, and who are the victims in all this? A lot of victims in this."

Mountbatten-Windsor, who is the third child of the late Queen Elizabeth II, has not addressed his inclusion in the latest Epstein files drop, which also includes him seemingly sending Epstein an invitation to Buckingham Palace and being offered a date with a 26-year-old Russian woman.

The former Duke of York was named in the recent Epstein files release (DoJ)

The former Prince was previously stripped of his Royal titles and asked to leave his home at the Royal Lodge in Windsor back in October, after the release of a posthumous memoir from Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre which included repeated allegations against him.

Buckingham Palace's statement confirming the decision included a message from King Charles and Queen Camilla expressing their sympathies to the victims of abuse, which read: "Their Majesties 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."

LADbible Group has previously contacted representatives for Andrew for comment.