🔗 Share this article

In the course of a visit to a cathedral in Staffordshire on the start of the week, King Charles was heckled by a individual who questioned him about Prince Andrew's connections with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The individual demanded to know how long the King had been aware about his brother's association with Jeffrey Epstein, and also raised doubts about whether he had instructed the police to "conceal" for Prince Andrew.

Amid the heckling, there were large groups of well-wishers and applause for the monarch, who was visiting the region for an event.

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

"For how long have you been aware about Andrew and Epstein? Have you asked the police to conceal for Andrew?"

The King remained silent but carried on meeting supporters, some of whom chanted "Long live the King". One fan can be heard asking him for a embrace.

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

Scandal Reignited by Posthumous Publication

The controversy over Prince Andrew's connections to Jeffrey Epstein has been reignited by sexual abuse claims detailed in Virginia Giuffre's recently released memoir.

In the publication, the accuser claims she had sexual encounters with the prince on three separate occasions, including one instance with Epstein and "eight other young girls"

Prince Andrew, who agreed to a financial settlement with the plaintiff in 2022, has consistently denied any wrongdoing. In a previous interview, he told a news program he did not remember meeting her "ever", and that they "never had any sort of intimate relations."

New Inquiries About Finances and Housing

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

The revelation that he has only ever paid a nominal fee on his Royal Lodge has intensified the examination over his housing situation - even though he made large payments up front, including for improvements.

The political party said he should be summoned before MPs to give evidence about his lease of his residence.

But last week, the government declined to give parliamentarians time to debate the prince's status or his residence, despite growing pressure for investigation.

The royal household has not issued a statement on whether the Duke of York might relocate of his home - or where he might go.

Associated Issues

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