King Charles heckled by public again over Andrew’s Epstein links
King Charles was once again caught in hot water over his brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s relationship with convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein during his royal visit to Lancashire on Monday morning.
A man shouted at Charles as he met well-wishers at Clitheroe railway station in Lancashire: “How long did you know about Andrew and Epstein?” Most of the crowd booed the question and Charles appeared unresponsive.
Last Thursday, the King and Queen were heckled during a royal walk in the Essex village of Dedham. One person shouted: “Charles, Charles, did you put pressure on the police to start investigating Andrew?”
The royal family remains embroiled in scandal following the latest installment of the so-called Epstein files, which were released by the US Department of Justice last month, leading to a series of allegations about Andrew and his relationship with Epstein.
The allegations include that a second woman was sent to England by Epstein to have sexual intercourse with Andrew, and that the former prince and Epstein solicited an exotic dancer for a threesome at Epstein’s Florida home. The files also included a photo showing Andrew on the ground with a woman.
The latest allegation is that Andrew shared secret reports about his official visits to Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore as Britain’s trade envoy. The former duke has always denied any wrongdoing.
On Monday, the Prince and Princess of Wales spoke publicly for the first time about the scandal, saying they were “deeply concerned” and their thoughts were with the victims. Last week, Prince Edward also commented when asked about the recently released files, saying it was “really important to always remember the victims”.
Charles and Queen Camilla have not spoken publicly about Andrew since the files were last published last year, when they shared their “thoughts and utmost sympathies” with “victims and survivors of all forms of abuse”.
The statement came as part of the announcement stripping Andrew of his last remaining titles.
When he appeared outside Clitheroe railway station on Monday, Charles was greeted by people wearing Union flag hats as he shouted at him. Charles continued to shake people’s hands while some in the crowd booed the person in question.
Shortly after, Charles waved before getting into the car.
A huge slice consisting of millions of documents, Epstein also led police to launch an investigation into Lord Peter Mandelson for alleged abuse of public office. On Sunday, Sir Keir Starmer’s Downing Street chief of staff Morgan McSweeney resigned over her role in Lord Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador.
Pressure continues on Lord Mandelson to the prime minister as ministers await the release of dossiers on his appointment.
