In a dramatic escalation of the long-running Jeffrey Epstein scandal, Prince Andrew faces the prospect of being summoned to appear before the United States Congress to answer questions about his relationship with the convicted sex offender.
The development marks one of the most serious legal threats to the Duke of York since he settled a civil sexual assault case with Virginia Giuffre out of court in 2022. Congressional representatives are seeking to compel the royal to provide testimony under oath about what he knew of Epstein's activities.
Mounting Pressure on Disgraced Royal
Sources close to the matter indicate that lawmakers are prepared to issue a formal summons if Prince Andrew refuses to cooperate voluntarily. This would represent an unprecedented situation where a senior member of the British Royal Family could be forced to testify before foreign legislators.
The potential congressional intervention comes amid growing frustration with what some US politicians describe as "incomplete cooperation" from individuals connected to the Epstein case. Despite being stripped of his military affiliations and royal patronages, Prince Andrew continues to maintain his innocence regarding any wrongdoing.
Epstein Connection Continues to Haunt Palace
Buckingham Palace finds itself navigating increasingly treacherous waters as the Epstein saga shows no signs of abating. The Duke's association with the financier - including the now-infamous photograph of Andrew with his arm around Virginia Giuffre - has proven persistently damaging to the monarchy's reputation.
Legal experts suggest that while a congressional summons carries significant weight, its enforceability against a foreign royal residing in the UK remains legally complex. However, refusal to comply could further damage the Royal Family's international standing and fuel additional scrutiny.
What Congress Hopes to Achieve
American legislators are particularly interested in understanding the extent of Prince Andrew's knowledge about Epstein's trafficking network and whether he witnessed any illegal activities during his visits to Epstein's properties.
The congressional investigation aims to bring closure to victims and ensure all individuals who enabled or turned a blind eye to Epstein's crimes are held accountable, regardless of their status or nationality.
As pressure mounts from both sides of the Atlantic, the Palace faces difficult decisions about how to handle what could become the most significant royal testimony since the days of Princess Diana's controversial interviews.
