As King Charles stepped out for a royal engagement today, he was heckled over the ongoing scandal surrounding his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
The king, 77, visited the Essex village of Dedham for a high street walkabout on Thursday.
However, he faced questions about his disgraced brother.
Andrew’s association with late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has sparked scrutiny for years. Following the recent release of more than three million files relating to Epstein and his crimes, that scrutiny has intensified.
Within these files, images appeared to show Andrew kneeling on all fours over an unidentified female lying on the ground. No context has been supplied for the images. It’s also unclear when and where they were taken.
King Charles heckled over Andrew and Epstein scandal
On Thursday, as King Charles walked through the village and greeted well-wishers, a heckler in the crowd shouted out.
As the king walked past, the person shouted: “Charles, Charles, have you pressurised the police to start investigating Andrew?”
The monarch, holding an umbrella amid the rainy weather, didn’t respond and continued to walk past.
Charles’ bodyguard was seen walking alongside him.
Police officers were then seen approaching the person in the crowd.
Elsewhere, ITV‘s Cari Davies was also heard shouting from the crowd: “Your Majesty, will your family help with the Epstein investigation?”
Davies also asked: “Your Majesty, do you have a message to victims?”
Allegations against Andrew
Andrew has been making headlines continuously this week following the release of the latest batch of Epstein files.
Following the release of the files, which included the image appearing to show Andrew and an unknown female, a second woman came forward with an allegation about the former prince.
The woman, who is not British and was in her 20s at the time, alleged she was sent to the UK by Epstein for a sexual encounter with Andrew.
Charles, Charles, have you pressurised the police to start investigating Andrew?
The encounter allegedly happened at Andrew’s former home, Royal Lodge, in 2010.
Her lawyer, Brad Edwards, told BBC News recently: “We’re talking about at least one woman who was sent by Jeffrey Epstein over to Prince Andrew.”
Thames Valley Police has since confirmed it’s assessing the allegations.
Representatives for Andrew were contacted for comment on the allegations. He has yet to respond.
Andrew leaves Royal Lodge
At the start of this week, Andrew moved out of his Royal Lodge home in Windsor.
Last October, Buckingham Palace confirmed Andrew would leave the property. At the time, King Charles also initiated a formal process to have Andrew’s remaining royal titles and honours removed.
The decisions were made amid growing scrutiny against the former prince over his ties to Epstein.
He has also faced allegations of sexual assault.
Virginia Giuffre alleged she was made to sleep with Andrew on three separate occasions when she was 17 after being trafficked by Epstein. Andrew has always vehemently denied the allegations against him.
Andrew’s Epstein scandal
For years, he has faced scrutiny over his links to Epstein.
In his BBC Newsnight interview in 2019, Andrew claimed he cut contact with the disgraced financier in late 2010. It came after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
Read more: Princess Anne ‘vocal’ over King Charles’ ‘harsh treatment’ of brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
However, emails that emerged last year appeared to show Andrew allegedly in contact with Epstein in early 2011.
Andrew has always repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.
In addition, being named or pictured among the Epstein files is not an indication of wrongdoing.
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