🔗 Share this article

In the course of a visit to a cathedral in Staffordshire on Monday, the King was confronted by a protester who asked him about Prince Andrew's relationship with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

The protester demanded to know how long the monarch had been aware about his sibling's association with Epstein, and also raised doubts about whether he had instructed the authorities to "conceal" for Andrew.

Amid the protest, there were throngs of well-wishers and cheers for the King, who was visiting Staffordshire for an engagement.

The Duke of York's associations with Epstein have been under renewed focus in the past few weeks. The royal, who gave up his titles earlier this month, has repeatedly denied any misconduct.

"How long have you been aware about Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein? Have you asked the authorities to cover up for him?"

The monarch ignored the questions but continued greeting fans, some of whom shouted "God Save The King". One fan can be heard asking him for a embrace.

A female bystander outside the cathedral was also observed telling the protester to "go away" and to "shut up".

Controversy Revived by Posthumous Publication

The scandal over Prince Andrew's connections to Epstein has been reignited by misconduct claims repeated in Virginia Giuffre's posthumously-published book.

In the memoir, the accuser says she had sex with the prince on three separate occasions, including once with Epstein and "several other minors"

Prince Andrew, who reached a financial settlement with Ms Giuffre in 2022, has consistently denied any wrongdoing. In 2019, he told BBC Newsnight he did not remember meeting Ms Giuffre "at all", and that they "never had any sort of intimate relations."

Fresh Questions About Lifestyle and Living Arrangements

But recently, new inquiries have been asked about how he is able to fund his lifestyle despite not being a active member of the royal family.

The revelation that he has only ever paid a token annual rent on his Windsor mansion has heightened the examination over his living arrangements - even though he made significant contributions initially, including for renovations.

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

But last week, the authorities refused to give MPs time to debate the royal's status or his residence, despite growing pressure for investigation.

Buckingham Palace has not commented on whether Prince Andrew might relocate of his current residence - or where he might go.

Associated Issues

• The Duke of York
• UK Royal Family
• King Charles III