Donald Trump has said he feels 'very badly' for the British royal family following King Charles's decision to strip his brother Andrew of his titles over his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The former Duke of York, now known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, was also forced to vacate his residence at the Royal Lodge on the Windsor estate. The move came amid ongoing anxiety within the royal household about damaging headlines concerning the friendship between Mountbatten Windsor and Epstein, as well as allegations of sexual assault by Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre.
Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump – who was friends with Epstein before his presidency – commented on the situation. 'I feel very badly. It's a terrible thing that's happened to the family. That's been a tragic situation,' he said.
Trump has often expressed admiration for the royal family, including during his second state visit to the UK in September, where he praised King Charles. However, he has faced scrutiny over his own ties to Epstein, with images of the two projected onto Windsor Castle during the visit.
Mountbatten Windsor has been under renewed scrutiny after the publication of emails and a memoir by Giuffre, who died in April. She claimed she was forced to have sex with him on three occasions, including when she was 17. Mountbatten Windsor has denied the claims and settled a civil case for £12m without admitting liability.
The fallout continues: UK Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed Mountbatten Windsor would lose his last remaining naval title, granted in 2015. A US Democratic congressman has also called for him to testify before a House committee investigating the Epstein case.
