A public appearance by the monarch was disrupted on Monday when an individual in the crowd began shouting questions about the ongoing controversy surrounding his brother, Prince Andrew.
The incident occurred outside Lichfield Cathedral, where the King was meeting with members of the public. In video footage circulating online, an unidentified person can be heard demanding to know how long the King had been aware of Andrew’s connections to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein and whether there had been any effort to influence police investigations. The protester also questioned whether Parliament should be allowed to debate royal matters.
The King did not acknowledge the shouted remarks and continued greeting well-wishers before being escorted from the area by his security detail.
This public confrontation follows the recent announcement from Prince Andrew that he would relinquish his Duke of York title and the associated honors. In a statement released earlier this month, Andrew cited his desire to prevent the accusations against him from distracting from the work of the monarchy. He reiterated his denial of the allegations linked to Epstein.
Reports suggest the decision for Andrew to step back further was reached after discussions within the royal family, with the monarch having grown increasingly concerned that the persistent scandal was damaging the institution.
The matter has also drawn attention from across the Atlantic. A senior member of a U.S. congressional oversight committee has indicated an interest in speaking with Prince Andrew regarding his knowledge of Epstein’s activities. While an invitation for such testimony may be extended, legal experts note that, as a non-U.S. citizen, Andrew could not be compelled to attend a congressional hearing.
