Activists from the campaign group Republic have hung a picture of former prince Andrew with notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein inside Buckingham Palace, specifically in the Throne Room. The banner, emblazoned with the words 'what did you know?', was placed by protesters who entered the Palace as tourists after purchasing tickets.
Security at Buckingham Palace Questioned
Graham Smith, Republic's chief executive, told Metro that security at the Royal Family's most famous residence is 'more relaxed than you might think'. He added: 'Wardens asked us to leave, but we were leaving already.' The incident raises concerns about palace security protocols, as activists were able to access the Throne Room undetected.
Background of the Protest
Andrew's relationship with Epstein led to him stepping down as a working royal in November 2019, and he was stripped of his titles by King Charles last year. Epstein survivor Virginia Giuffre said she had been trafficked to the then-prince, and a civil lawsuit she filed against him was settled in February 2022. Andrew denies any wrongdoing.
Ongoing Questions About Royal Knowledge
Since the former Duke of York was cut off by the Royal Family, activists have continued to ask questions about how much the King knew about the allegations against him. Mr Smith said: 'This question isn't going away. It is simply not believable to think that Charles and William weren't briefed years ago about the numerous allegations against Andrew.'
