King Charles is confronting escalating demands to deliver an official apology following new allegations that the late financier Jeffrey Epstein arranged sexual encounters for Prince Andrew at royal residences. Victims of the convicted paedophile have asserted that the monarch must take responsibility for what they term the "organisation's failings" and should also apologise to the family of Andrew's late accuser, Virginia Giuffre.
Palace's Historical Stance on the Scandal
Buckingham Palace has never formally acknowledged any wrongdoing or issued an apology regarding Prince Andrew's relationship with Epstein. Critics have accused the institution of offering mere "lip service" in its statements about the scandal, rather than substantive accountability.
Legal Calls for a Genuine Apology
Lawyers representing a second woman, who claims Epstein sent her to the UK for a sexual encounter with Andrew at Royal Lodge in 2010, have now urged King Charles to issue what they describe as a "real apology." Brad Edwards, from the US law firm Edwards Henderson, emphasised the necessity for sincerity, stating: "To the King I would say: why not at least listen to the details of the story? After that, issue a sincere, real apology on behalf of Andrew and any role played by the Royal Family. That world was only possible because Andrew was who he was." He added that victims seek "a real apology – not just lip service."
Victims' Perspectives on Royal Accountability
Epstein survivor Marijke Chartouni told the Daily Mail: "The Royal Family is a carefully managed endeavour and so claiming ignorance to Andrew's activities is absurd. It's time for the King to address his organisation's failings." Another survivor, Maria Farmer, expressed shock that the royals have still not apologised to Ms Giuffre's family, noting that Giuffre died by suicide last year after maintaining she had sex with Andrew on three occasions when she was 17.
Recent Royal Actions and Statements
In October of last year, King Charles stripped Andrew of all his remaining titles, including his birthright as a prince, and forced him out of his Windsor home, Royal Lodge. This decision was explicitly linked to serious and prolific lapses in Andrew's judgment, despite his continued vehement denial of the allegations. Notably, both the King and Queen Camilla made a point of stating that "their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse." This marked the first such expression issued by the palace, coming directly from Charles and Camilla.
Broader Royal Responses
Last week, Prince Edward became the first royal to comment on the latest Epstein files, asserting it is "really important to remember the victims." A royal source reiterated to the Daily Mail: "Their Majesties' thoughts and sympathies have been and remain with the victims of any and all forms of abuse, as remains the case today."
Ongoing Legal and Public Scrutiny
The calls for an apology coincide with renewed demands for a criminal investigation, as disturbing new details about Andrew's activities continue to emerge from the latest tranche of three million documents released in the Epstein files by the US Department of Justice. This ongoing scrutiny underscores the persistent pressure on the monarchy to address its role in the scandal more transparently and compassionately.
