🔗 Share this article

During a engagement to a cathedral in Staffordshire on Monday, the King was heckled by a protester who asked him about Prince Andrew's links with convicted sex offender Epstein.

The individual asked how long the monarch had been aware about his sibling's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, and also raised doubts about whether he had instructed the authorities to "conceal" for Andrew.

Amid the protest, there were crowds of well-wishers and cheers for the King, who was in Staffordshire for an ceremony.

Prince Andrew's links with Epstein have been under renewed focus in the past few weeks. The prince, who gave up his titles earlier this month, has strongly denied any wrongdoing.

"For how long have you known about Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein? Did you request the authorities to conceal for Andrew?"

The King remained silent but continued greeting supporters, some of whom shouted "God Save The King". One fan can be heard asking him for a hug.

A female bystander outside the cathedral was also observed telling the heckler to "leave" and to "shut up".

Scandal Revived by Memoir

The scandal over Prince Andrew's links to Epstein has been brought back into focus by sexual abuse claims detailed in Virginia Giuffre's posthumously-published memoir.

In the memoir, Ms Giuffre says she had sex with the royal on three separate occasions, including once with Jeffrey Epstein and "several other minors"

Andrew, who agreed to a out-of-court agreement with the plaintiff in 2022, has consistently denied any wrongdoing. In 2019, he told a news program he did not recall meeting her "at all", and that they "did not have any sort of sexual contact."

Fresh Questions About Finances and Living Arrangements

But recently, new inquiries have been raised about how he is able to finance his lifestyle despite not being a working royal.

The revelation that he has only ever paid a token annual rent on his Windsor mansion has intensified the examination over his housing situation - even though he made large payments up front, including for renovations.

The Liberal Democrats said he should be summoned front of MPs to give testimony about his rental agreement of his residence.

But last week, the authorities declined to give MPs time to discuss the royal's titles or his residence, despite increasing calls for investigation.

Buckingham Palace has not issued a statement on whether Prince Andrew might move out of his current residence - or where he might reside.

Related Topics

• The Duke of York
• British Monarchy
• The Monarch