Prince Edward has broken the silence on the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, becoming the first senior Royal Family member so far to comment following the release of millions of documents linking the late financier to his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, Edward emphasized the importance of focusing on the victims at the center of the controversy.
Prince Edward on Epstein Scandal: Remembering the Victims
Asked how he was coping with the revelations, Edward told CNN journalist 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. 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? A lot of victims in this.”
According to Daily Mail, the comments came after more than three million documents were released by the US Department of Justice. The papers include images appearing to show Andrew in a compromising position with an unidentified woman, along with emails discussing a “beautiful” Russian woman invited to Buckingham Palace.
Andrew, who was stripped of his titles last year and moved from Windsor to Sandringham, has denied any wrongdoing. His ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, is also mentioned, suggesting that Epstein’s friendship with her was a means to gain access to Andrew.
Edward’s response is in line with the palace’s position on the matter. In a statement last year, it was stated that the “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”.
Edward, visiting the UAE since Saturday, highlighted his work promoting education through the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, while acknowledging the ongoing fallout from the Epstein documents.
Andrew Under Pressure to Give Evidence
Royal sources say Andrew faces ongoing pressure from US authorities to provide testimony regarding Epstein, with lawyer Gloria Allred urging cooperation. She asked, “Why was he willing to speak to the BBC in a one-hour catastrophic television interview, but is not willing to speak to law enforcement?”
Despite repeated attempts from US authorities via emails and mutual legal assistance requests to the UK Home Office, Andrew has not given evidence. Per BBC, sources stress it remains a matter of Andrew’s conscience, though Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stated: “Anybody who has got information should be prepared to share that information. You can’t be victim-centred if you’re not prepared to do that.”
Buckingham Palace has maintained that the King and Queen’s “thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.”
The civil case brought by Virginia Giuffre against Andrew was settled in 2022, with the former prince rejecting any claims of wrongdoing and avoiding the need to testify.
