The Monarch Faces Heckling Regarding Prince Andrew's Jeffrey Epstein Connections
In the course of a engagement to Lichfield Cathedral on the start of the week, King Charles was confronted by a protester who asked him about his brother's connections with disgraced financier Epstein.
The man asked how long the monarch had been aware about his sibling's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, and also questioned whether he had asked the authorities to "hide" for Prince Andrew.
Despite the protest, there were throngs of well-wishers and applause for the monarch, who was in Staffordshire for an ceremony.
Prince Andrew's associations with Jeffrey Epstein have been under renewed focus in the past few weeks. The royal, who relinquished his royal duties earlier this month, has strongly denied any misconduct.
"For how long have you been aware about Prince Andrew and Epstein? Did you request the police to conceal for Andrew?"
The monarch did not respond but carried on greeting fans, some of whom chanted "God Save The King". One supporter can be overheard asking him for a hug.
Another woman outside the cathedral was also observed telling the protester to "go away" and to "be quiet".
Scandal Reignited by Memoir
The controversy over the Duke of York's links to Epstein has been brought back into focus by misconduct claims detailed in Virginia Giuffre's posthumously-published book.
In the memoir, Ms Giuffre claims she had sexual encounters with the royal on three separate occasions, including one instance with Jeffrey Epstein and "eight other young girls"
Andrew, who reached a out-of-court agreement with Ms Giuffre in recent years, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. In a previous interview, he told a news program he did not remember meeting Ms Giuffre "ever", and that they "never had any sort of intimate relations."
New Inquiries About Lifestyle and Housing
But in recent times, fresh questions have been asked about how he is able to fund his way of life despite not being a working royal.
The disclosure that he has only ever paid a token annual rent on his Royal Lodge has intensified the examination over his housing situation - even though he made significant contributions up front, including for improvements.
The Liberal Democrats said he should be called in before members of parliament to give evidence about his lease of his lodge.
But last week, the authorities refused to give parliamentarians time to discuss the royal's status or his home, despite increasing calls for investigation.
Buckingham Palace has not issued a statement on whether Prince Andrew might relocate of his home - or where he might go.
Associated Issues
- The Duke of York
- UK Royal Family
- King Charles III