Protesters are urging the King to safeguard the monarchy’s reputation by persuading Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to testify in the US, even if it means escorting him to the airport. The request comes from the US feminist group Women’s March, which held a vigil at the Washington Monument to commemorate the first anniversary of Virginia Giuffre’s passing, a survivor of Jeffrey Epstein. The event was attended by activists and Giuffre’s relatives, just before Charles and Queen Camilla commenced their four-day state visit to the US to meet with President Donald Trump.
Critics argue that the failure of the Royals to engage with Epstein’s survivors has cast a shadow over their trip. Nonetheless, the Queen is scheduled to meet other victims of sexual abuse during the visit.
Buckingham Palace recently defended the decision not to have the King and Queen meet Epstein’s victims, citing concerns about affecting ongoing legal inquiries. However, Rachel O’Leary Carmona, the executive director of Women’s March, emphasized the need for action, stating that Andrew should speak up to uphold the monarchy’s integrity. She stressed that there should be no special treatment or immunity for him and that he should cooperate with the law in both the US and UK.
Furthermore, Virginia Giuffre’s attorney, Sigrid McCawley, called on the King to persuade Andrew to provide testimony in the US. McCawley emphasized that meeting with victims would be a crucial acknowledgment of their experiences and potentially valuable for future investigations.
At the vigil, Virginia’s brother, Sky Roberts, paid tribute to his late sister’s courage in standing up for survivors of Epstein’s crimes. He highlighted Virginia’s compassionate nature and resilience in the face of adversity.
Among the survivors at the vigil was Anouska de Georgiou, the first British accuser of Epstein, who shared her traumatic experiences. Roberts, alongside his wife Amanda, emphasized the importance of the King and Queen meeting the victims to recognize their suffering and struggles.
Virginia Giuffre, who tragically took her own life, accused Prince Andrew of sexual assault and was a key figure in the Epstein scandal. Despite denying the allegations, Andrew settled with Giuffre to avoid a civil trial. The King took decisive action to remove Andrew’s royal titles following the scandal and pledged support for police investigations into his conduct.
In response to the criticism of not meeting with survivors, Buckingham Palace stated that any interaction that could interfere with legal proceedings would not be in the best interest of the survivors. The King and Queen’s visit to the US is expected to include meetings with the President and other dignitaries, emphasizing unity and cooperation between the two nations.
