Prince Edward breaks silence on Epstein files scandal as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor faces scrutiny
He urged people to "remember the victims" of Epstein's crimesPrince Edward has spoken out on the release of Jeffrey Epstein files as his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, faces more scrutiny.
The Duke of Edinburgh spoke about the recent release of millions of files relating to late convicted sex offender Epstein and his crimes. These have placed his brother in headlines again.
Prince Edward, Andrew’s youngest sibling, made his comments at the World Governments Summit in Dubai on Tuesday.
Prince Edward speaks out on Epstein files
One reporter asked Edward about how he and the royal family are coping with the Epstein scandal dominating headlines.
Prince Edward, 61, told CNN’s Eleni Giokos: “Well, with the best will in the world, I’m not sure this is the audience that is probably the least bit interested in that.”
He added: “They all came here to listen to education, solving the future. But no, I think it’s all really important always to remember the victims and who are the victims in all this.”
It comes days after images appearing to show his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, emerged in the latest batch of Epstein files.
Latest Epstein files
Last Friday, the US Department of Justice released three million files relating to Epstein and his crimes.
Within these files, images appeared to show Andrew kneeling on all fours over an unidentified woman lying on the ground.
I think it’s all really important always to remember the victims.
In two of the images, he is seen touching the person, who is fully clothed, on her stomach. Another image shows him staring at the camera.
No context has been supplied for the images. It’s also unclear when and where they were taken.
Royal Insider contacted representatives for Andrew for comment on the files.
He has always vehemently denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein and being named or pictured among the Epstein files is not an indication of wrongdoing.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s Epstein scandal
For years now, Andrew, 65, has faced intense scrutiny over his association with late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Last October, Andrew lost his royal titles and honours, as well as his Royal Lodge home, in the wake of renewed scrutiny.
His ties to Epstein have continuously made headlines. In October, his accuser Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir published. It detailed her alleged encounters with the royal.
Ms Giuffre alleged she was made to sleep with Andrew on three separate occasions when she was 17 after being trafficked by Epstein. Andrew has always denied the allegations.
New allegations emerge
Following the latest release of Epstein files last week, a second woman has come forward alleging she was sent to the UK by Epstein for a sexual encounter with Andrew.
This allegedly happened at Andrew’s Windsor residence, Royal Lodge, in 2010.
The woman’s lawyer, Brad Edwards from the US firm Edwards Henderson, told the BBC that after she spent the night with the former prince, the woman claims she was given a tour of Buckingham Palace and had tea.
Royal Insider contacted representatives for Andrew and Buckingham Palace for comment on these claims.
‘Should be prepared to share that information’
Andrew now faces even more scrutiny over his links to Epstein.
He has faced calls to appear before US Congress to answer questions about his relationship with the late convicted sex offender.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer recently told reporters: “In terms of testifying, I have always said anybody who has got information should be prepared to share that information in whatever form they are asked to do that. You can’t be victim-centred if you’re not prepared to do that.”
Read more: Prince Harry’s brutal comments about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor amid ‘shameful’ scandal
Last October, amid the intense scrutiny surrounding Andrew, King Charles took action. He initiated a formal process to remove his brother’s royal titles and honours.
A statement from the palace also confirmed that Andrew would leave his Windsor property, Royal Lodge. He’ll reportedly move to the king’s Sandringham Estate sometime this year.
The statement added: “Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.”
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