🔗 Share this article

During a engagement to a cathedral in Staffordshire on Monday, the King was shouted at by a protester who asked him about Prince Andrew's links with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

The protester asked how long the monarch had been known about his brother's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, and also raised doubts about whether he had asked the police to "conceal" for Andrew.

Amid the heckling, there were crowds of fans and applause for the monarch, who was visiting Staffordshire for an engagement.

The Duke of York's associations with Jeffrey Epstein have been under close examination in the past few weeks. The prince, who relinquished his royal duties earlier this month, has categorically denied any misconduct.

"How long have you known about Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein? Did you request the police to conceal for Andrew?"

The monarch did not respond but continued greeting supporters, some of whom shouted "Long live the King". One fan can be heard asking him for a hug.

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

Scandal Reignited by Memoir

The controversy over the Duke of York's connections to Epstein has been revived by misconduct claims repeated in Ms. Giuffre's recently released book.

In the publication, Ms Giuffre says she had sexual encounters with the royal on three separate occasions, including one instance with Epstein and "several other minors"

Prince Andrew, who agreed to a out-of-court agreement with Ms Giuffre in 2022, has consistently denied any wrongdoing. In 2019, he told BBC Newsnight he did not remember meeting her "ever", and that they "did not have any sort of intimate relations."

New Inquiries About Finances and Housing

But recently, new inquiries have been raised about how he is able to fund 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 scrutiny over his living arrangements - even though he made significant contributions initially, including for improvements.

The Liberal Democrats said he should be summoned before members of parliament to give evidence about his lease of his lodge.

But last Thursday, the government refused to give parliamentarians time to discuss the prince's status or his residence, despite growing pressure for investigation.

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

Associated Issues

• The Duke of York
• British Monarchy
• The Monarch