The Prince of Wales faced questions about the ongoing scandal surrounding his uncle, Prince Andrew, and his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, during a visit to Saudi Arabia. As William watched schoolgirls play football in Riyadh, a reporter shouted twice: “Sir, to what extent do you think the royal family has done enough around the Andrew and Epstein issue.” The prince did not respond, possibly not hearing the question clearly.
The Epstein scandal has overshadowed royal duties in recent weeks, following the release of millions of documents in January. Andrew was stripped of his titles in December, but new claims have emerged, including allegations he shared confidential trade reports with Epstein. Thames Valley Police is assessing these claims, and the King has said Buckingham Palace will support any police inquiry.
Before the trip, William and Catherine issued their first public statement on the scandal, expressing deep concern. A Kensington Palace spokesperson said the couple wanted their position known so William could focus on the visit, aimed at strengthening UK-Saudi ties.
During the three-day trip, William met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and learned about women’s rights advances in Saudi society. He spoke with women about recent freedoms, including the right to drive and travel without male permission. Reem Alrowaili, a mother who met the prince, said: “I lived the old days where we were not allowed to do anything and now I'm really happy for my daughter.”
