An investigation into the world of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Jeffrey Epstein met a hostile reception in Palm Beach, Florida, where the disgraced financier's mansion once stood. The Express team was told to leave after just five minutes outside the Everglades private members club, with staff shouting that police had been called.
The questions put to people concerned alleged meetings at the club between Andrew and Epstein, a subject that proved deeply sensitive among the wealthy residents of the barrier island. The area, described as an exclusive enclave with riches beyond most people's imagination, was clearly unwilling to discuss what has been called the century's biggest scandal.
A tale of two sides of town
Just a short distance past Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago club, across the bridge off the island, attitudes changed dramatically. On the 'wrong side of town', residents were far more willing to discuss the Epstein scandal, describing the affair as an open secret.
People living in areas that provided many of Epstein's victims expressed a belief that true justice had never been served, either to Epstein or to powerful people in his orbit accused of awful crimes. One local resident, Ken, suggested that sinister goings-on continued behind the gated walls of the island, saying: "Those types of things still go on today in those big houses over there, it's just that no one gets in trouble."
A plea to the monarch
Andrew's connection to Epstein is undisputed, and he has admitted inhabiting that world. The question, the investigation suggests, is what he witnessed or allegedly participated in at the epicentres of a horrific paedophile sex trafficking operation.
Andrew has had his royal titles removed and has been arrested by Thames Valley Police in relation to a misconduct in a public office offence. After his brother was taken to a police station for questioning, King Charles said he believed "the law must take its course".
The plea made to the monarch is to lead by example and have the Palace assist the police in investigating the alleged crimes. The investigation acknowledges the difficulty of acting against his own flesh and blood, but argues that leaders with a moral compass should act, even when decisions are difficult.
