🔗 Share this article

In the course of a visit to a cathedral in Staffordshire on the start of the week, the King was shouted at by a protester who questioned him about Prince Andrew's links with convicted sex offender Epstein.

The individual demanded to know how long the monarch had been known about his brother's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, and also questioned whether he had instructed the police to "cover up" for Prince Andrew.

Amid the heckling, there were throngs of fans and applause for the King, who was visiting the region for an event.

Prince Andrew's links with Jeffrey Epstein have been under renewed focus in recent weeks. The royal, who gave up his titles earlier this month, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

"How long have you known about Andrew and Epstein? Did you request the police to cover up for him?"

The monarch remained silent but carried on greeting fans, some of whom shouted "God Save The King". One supporter can be overheard asking him for a embrace.

Another woman outside the cathedral was also heard telling the heckler to "leave" and to "shut up".

Controversy Reignited by Memoir

The controversy over Prince Andrew's connections to Epstein has been brought back into focus by misconduct claims detailed in Virginia Giuffre's recently released book.

In the publication, Ms Giuffre alleges she had sexual encounters with the royal on three separate occasions, including once with Jeffrey Epstein and "several other minors"

Prince Andrew, who reached a out-of-court agreement with the plaintiff in recent years, has repeatedly denied any misconduct. In 2019, he told BBC Newsnight he did not remember meeting Ms Giuffre "ever", and that they "never had any sort of sexual contact."

New Inquiries Over Finances and Housing

But recently, fresh questions have been asked about how he is able to finance his lifestyle despite not being a working royal.

The revelation that he has only ever paid a token annual rent on his Royal Lodge has intensified the scrutiny over his living arrangements - even though he made significant contributions up front, including for renovations.

The political party said he should be called in before MPs to give evidence about his rental agreement of his lodge.

But last week, the authorities refused to give parliamentarians time to debate the royal's titles or his residence, despite increasing calls for scrutiny.

Buckingham Palace has not issued a statement on whether the Duke of York might move out of his current residence - or where he might go.

Related Topics

• The Duke of York
• UK Royal Family
• King Charles III