🔗 Share this article

During a engagement to a cathedral in Staffordshire on Monday, King Charles was shouted at by a man who questioned him about Prince Andrew's relationship with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

The individual demanded to know how long the King had been known about his sibling's association with Epstein, and also raised doubts about whether he had asked the authorities to "hide" for Prince Andrew.

Despite the protest, there were throngs of supporters and cheers for the monarch, who was in Staffordshire for an ceremony.

Prince Andrew's connections with Jeffrey Epstein have been under renewed focus in the past few weeks. The prince, who relinquished his titles earlier this month, has categorically denied any wrongdoing.

"How long have you been aware about Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein? Did you request the authorities to cover up for Andrew?"

The monarch ignored the questions but continued greeting supporters, some of whom shouted "Long live the King". One fan can be overheard asking him for a hug.

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

Controversy Reignited by Posthumous Publication

The scandal over the Duke of York's connections to Epstein has been brought back into focus by sexual abuse claims repeated in Virginia Giuffre's posthumously-published book.

In the memoir, Ms Giuffre alleges she had sexual encounters with the royal on multiple times, 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 "never had any sort of intimate relations."

New Inquiries Over Lifestyle and Housing

But in recent times, new inquiries have been raised about how he is able to fund his lifestyle despite not being a working royal.

The revelation that he has only ever paid a nominal fee on his Windsor mansion has intensified the scrutiny over his living arrangements - even though he made significant contributions initially, including for improvements.

The political party said he should be called in before members of parliament to give testimony about his rental agreement of his residence.

But last week, the government refused to give MPs time to debate the prince's titles or his home, despite growing pressure for scrutiny.

The royal household has not commented on whether Prince Andrew might relocate of his current residence - or where he might go.

Associated Issues

• Prince Andrew
• British Monarchy
• The Monarch