🔗 Share this article

In the course of a engagement to Lichfield Cathedral on the start of the week, the King was shouted at by a individual who questioned him about his brother's links with disgraced financier Epstein.

The man inquired how long the King had been known about his brother's association with Jeffrey Epstein, and also raised doubts about whether he had asked the authorities to "hide" for Andrew.

Despite the heckling, there were crowds of well-wishers and cheers for the King, who was visiting the region for an engagement.

The Duke of York's associations with Epstein have been under intense scrutiny in recent weeks. The royal, who gave up his royal duties earlier this month, has strongly denied any wrongdoing.

"For how long have you known about Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein? Have you asked the authorities to conceal for him?"

The monarch ignored the questions but continued meeting fans, some of whom shouted "Long live the King". One supporter can be heard requesting him for a embrace.

Another woman outside the cathedral was also heard telling the protester to "go away" and to "be quiet".

Scandal Reignited by Memoir

The controversy over Prince Andrew's connections to Epstein has been revived by sexual abuse allegations detailed in Virginia Giuffre's posthumously-published memoir.

In the publication, Ms Giuffre claims she had sexual encounters with the royal on multiple times, including once with Epstein and "several other minors"

Andrew, who reached a out-of-court agreement with Ms Giuffre in 2022, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. In a previous interview, he told BBC Newsnight he did not remember meeting Ms Giuffre "at all", and that they "never had any sort of intimate relations."

New Inquiries Over Finances and Housing

But in recent times, fresh questions have been asked about how he is able to fund his lifestyle despite not being a working royal.

The disclosure that he has only ever paid a token annual rent on his Royal Lodge has intensified the scrutiny over his housing situation - even though he made large payments up front, including for improvements.

The political party said he should be summoned front of MPs to give evidence about his rental agreement of his lodge.

But last Thursday, the authorities refused to give MPs time to debate the royal's titles or his home, despite increasing calls for investigation.

The royal household has not commented on whether Prince Andrew might move out of his current residence - or where he might reside.

Related Topics

• The Duke of York
• British Monarchy
• King Charles III