Prince Edward becomes first royal to speak out on Epstein scandal and says ‘remember the victims’
Prince Edward became the first member of the Royal Family to speak out about Jeffrey Epstein, saying it was ‘really important to always remember the victims’.
The Duke of Edinburgh was asked ‘how are you coping’ when asked about the latest dossiers released at the World Government Summit in Dubai today.
Edward told a CNN reporter: ‘Even with the best will in the world, I’m not sure there are audiences who are the least interested in this.
‘They all came here to listen to education, to figure out the future, but no, I think it’s really important to always remember the victims and who are the victims of all this? ‘There are so many victims in this matter.’
This follows the release of more than three million documents related to pedophile financier Epstein by the US Department of Justice last Friday night.
Bombshell documents have revealed more details about the American sex offender’s connection to Edward’s disgraced older brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
Edward’s response came after CNN’s Eleni Gioko asked: ‘And I have to say this, and it’s very important because, you know, it dominated the headlines. We all know that the last few days have been very interesting, very difficult.
‘And I’m sure, sir, it’s an important question for you to ask as well, and I want to ask it in the context of what we’ve seen from Your Majesty and their responses. And they say we should focus specifically on the experiences of victims.
The Duke of Edinburgh is interviewed at the World Government Summit in Dubai today
Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein walk together in New York’s Central Park on December 5, 2010
Prince Edward and former Prince Andrew at Sandringham Church on Christmas Day 2023
‘The Palace was very, very clear on this issue. We’ve just heard some comments from Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and with that in mind he says victims need to be helped.
‘And I’m wondering what you think about it, because it’s so close to home and it’s definitely very difficult. ‘I know you are making various plans to move the institution forward, but how are you dealing with this?’
It comes as the King has been asked to contact lawyers representing a woman who claims she was sent to the UK by Epstein to have sex with Andrew.
Andrew appeared in the Epstein papers several times; In the latest release, new footage has emerged showing him crouching over an unidentified woman lying on the ground.
The former Duke of York’s titles were stripped by Charles following the posthumous publication of a book by Virginia Giuffre last year.
She also claimed that she was kidnapped by Epstein and his ex-girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell when she was 17.
Andrew paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault claim in 2022 against Ms Giuffre, a woman he claimed he had never met.
The old prince vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
Last October the King began the formal process to strip Andrew of his titles and arranged for him to move from his home in Windsor to Sandringham.
The Palace said in a statement at that time: ‘Their Royal Highnesses wish to make it clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies are with the victims and survivors of all forms of abuse and remain with them.’
