King Charles faced an uncomfortable moment on Monday when a protester heckled him over his brother Prince Andrew’s alleged ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during a public visit to Lichfield Cathedral in northwest England.
As the monarch greeted royal fans outside the cathedral near Birmingham, a man in the crowd shouted, “How long have you known about Andrew and Epstein?” The question rang out clearly while the king continued his walkabout, seemingly unfazed by the confrontation.
The protest came amid renewed public scrutiny of Prince Andrew, 65, following his decision earlier this month to relinquish the title of Duke of York after years of controversy surrounding his association with Epstein. Despite stepping back from royal duties in 2019, the prince continues to face intense media attention and questions about what the royal family knew about his dealings with Epstein.
The latest backlash was fuelled by the contents of a posthumous memoir by Virginia Giuffre, who had accused Andrew of sexually abusing her as a teenager. The revelations have reignited debate about accountability within the monarchy.
Giuffre’s allegations led to a civil lawsuit in the United States, which was settled in 2022 after Andrew made an undisclosed payment. The prince has repeatedly denied her claims and maintained his innocence throughout the scandal.
In a further twist, British police are now reportedly investigating claims that Andrew asked one of his police protection officers in 2011 to “dig up dirt” on Giuffre — allegations that have intensified public calls for transparency.
During Monday’s incident, the protester continued to challenge the monarch, shouting: “Have you asked the police to cover up for Andrew? Should MPs be allowed to debate the royals in the House of Commons?”
King Charles, maintaining composure, did not respond and continued engaging with other members of the public before entering the cathedral.
The heckling underscored the continued sensitivity surrounding Prince Andrew’s scandal and the pressures facing the monarchy as it attempts to distance itself from one of the most damaging controversies in recent royal history.
