Prince William touched down in Saudi Arabia today, commencing a significant three-day diplomatic tour of the nation. His arrival occurred mere hours after he and his wife, Kate, the Princess of Wales, made their first public comments regarding the ongoing Jeffrey Epstein scandal that continues to engulf the Royal Family.
Diplomatic Mission Amidst Royal Turmoil
The Prince of Wales disembarked from a Royal Air Force aircraft at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh shortly after 6pm local time. He was greeted on a purple carpet by Riyadh's Deputy Governor, Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, who extended traditional Saudi hospitality with coffee and dates in the Royal Terminal. William is scheduled to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during this visit, which is anticipated to be the most substantial diplomatic challenge of his overseas engagements representing the United Kingdom.
Royal Concern Over Epstein Revelations
Kensington Palace issued a statement this morning confirming that the Prince and Princess of Wales have been 'deeply concerned' by the continuous revelations stemming from the Jeffrey Epstein case. Their thoughts, the palace emphasized, remain with the victims. This marks the first official indication of William and Kate's stance on the scandal, which has intensified since U.S. authorities released millions of documents related to the convicted paedophile financier on January 30.
A palace spokesperson stated ahead of the Saudi visit: 'I can confirm that the Prince and Princess of Wales have been deeply concerned by the continued revelations. Their thoughts remain focused on the victims.' It is understood that Kensington Palace wanted their position known to allow Prince William to concentrate on his diplomatic duties without distraction.
Mounting Pressure on the Monarchy
The Royal Family's recent activities have been persistently overshadowed by the Epstein affair, despite King Charles III's previous attempts to address the issue. In October, the King stripped his brother, Prince Andrew, of his royal titles and dukedom, effectively banishing him from public life. However, public scrutiny has not abated.
Today, as King Charles arrived at Clitheroe train station in Lancashire, a member of the crowd shouted: 'How long have you known about Andrew?' The question was met with boos from other onlookers. This incident follows similar heckling last week in Dedham, Essex, where a man questioned whether the King had pressured police to investigate Andrew.
New Allegations and Police Assessment
Hours after William's arrival in Riyadh, Thames Valley Police confirmed it was assessing claims that Prince Andrew shared confidential reports from his former role as the UK's trade envoy with Jeffrey Epstein. The allegations suggest Andrew forwarded sensitive information regarding official visits to Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Singapore, as well as investment opportunities in Afghanistan's Helmand Province.
Former BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt has called for decisive action, urging King Charles to publicly support Andrew testifying before U.S. Congress and to advocate for his removal from the line of succession. Hunt argued that the statement from William and Kate, while expressing concern, lacked concrete action and that the monarchy risks failing Epstein's victims without stronger measures.
Historical Context and Legal Settlements
Prince Andrew, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing, was stripped of his honorary military roles by the late Queen in 2022 and ceased using his HRH style following a civil sex case brought by Virginia Giuffre. Andrew settled the case for millions, though he maintains he never met Giuffre, who alleged she was trafficked by Epstein for encounters with the royal.
William and Kate supported the King's decision to remove Andrew's titles, aligning with a Buckingham Palace statement that expressed sympathy for abuse victims. The Duke of Edinburgh was the first royal to comment publicly after the document release, emphasizing the importance of remembering the victims.
The latest document trove has also sparked allegations against other figures, including Lord Peter Mandelson, with police investigating claims of misconduct in public office. Anti-monarchy campaign group Republic has reported the allegations concerning Andrew to the authorities, prompting an ongoing assessment by Thames Valley Police.
As Prince William engages in high-stakes diplomacy in Saudi Arabia, the Royal Family navigates one of its most profound crises in recent memory, with the Epstein scandal's shadow lengthening across both domestic and international royal affairs.
