Buckingham Palace faces mounting transatlantic pressure as US Democratic lawmakers formally summon Prince Andrew to answer questions about his controversial friendship with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Congressional Summons Rocks Royal Household
In an unprecedented move that threatens to reignite the royal scandal, American politicians have issued a direct demand for the Duke of York's testimony. The formal request comes as multiple new victims step forward with fresh allegations about Epstein's trafficking network.
Sources close to the investigation reveal that lawmakers are particularly interested in Andrew's visits to Epstein's private Caribbean island and his stays at the financier's Manhattan mansion. "The evidence trail doesn't lie," one congressional aide stated. "We need answers about what exactly occurred during these visits."
Victims' Voices Grow Louder
Meanwhile, the chorus of accusers continues to swell. Several women who claim to have been exploited by Epstein's network are now cooperating with authorities, providing detailed accounts that allegedly implicate numerous high-profile figures.
"These brave women are finally being heard," commented a victims' advocate working on the case. "Their stories paint a disturbing picture of systematic abuse and powerful enablers."
Palace in Damage Control Mode
Inside the gilded halls of Buckingham Palace, aides are reportedly scrambling to contain the fallout. The royal household had hoped the controversy had subsided following Andrew's multi-million pound settlement with Virginia Giuffre earlier this year.
However, this new development threatens to unravel those carefully laid plans. Legal experts suggest the Duke could face difficult choices about whether to comply with the American request or risk being seen as obstructing justice.
The timing couldn't be worse for the monarchy, coming as King Charles attempts to modernise the institution and rebuild public trust. Royal commentators note that this fresh controversy threatens to undermine those efforts and drag the family back into a scandal they desperately hoped to leave behind.
