Prince Edward says ‘important’ to remember Epstein victims

The Duke of Edinburgh has said it is “really important” to remember Jeffrey Epstein’s victims as his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, faces growing pressure to give evidence over what he knows about the late sex offender.

The comments are the first from a senior royal since Andrew was pictured in the latest tranche of documents relating to Epstein.

The images appear to show Andrew kneeling on all fours over a female lying on the ground. Both are fully clothed. Other files repeatedly reference him and his former wife, Sarah Ferguson.

Being mentioned in the documents is not an indication of any wrongdoing.

Prince Edward made the comments at the World Governments Summit in Dubai after being asked by a CNN journalist how he was “coping” with the fallout from the files.

The duke, who is the youngest of King Charles’ siblings, replied: “Well, with the best will in the world, I’m not sure this is the audience that is 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.”

Andrew, formerly known as Prince Andrew and the Duke of York, was stripped of his royal titles in October.

This came after increasing scrutiny over Andrew’s links to Epstein and the posthumous publication of a book by Virginia Giuffre, who alleged she was trafficked by Epstein and his girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell, and forced to have sex with Andrew when she was 17-years-old – a claim which Andrew has denied.

Andrew – who has always denied any wrongdoing – reached a settlement with Giuffre in 2022, paying her an undisclosed sum.

A second woman has also alleged that she was sent to the UK by Epstein for a sexual encounter with Andrew, her lawyers told the BBC earlier this week.

The encounter allegedly occurred at the former prince’s residence, Royal Lodge, in 2010. The woman, who is not British, was in her 20s at the time.

BBC News has asked Andrew for comment, but he has so far not responded to these accusations.

Emails released on Friday showed a number of exchanges between Epstein and Andrew in the years after the US billionaire pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor.

Andrew appeared to invite Epstein to Buckingham Palace in one of the messages.

Epstein died in a New York prison cell on 10 August 2019 as he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges.

Another detailed an offer from Epstein to introduce Andrew to a 26-year-old Russian woman.

The files also show there have been multiple unsuccessful approaches from US authorities for Andrew to help with Epstein inquiries.

Calls are now growing for Andrew to give evidence in the US, of what he knows about Epstein.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has been amongst those calling for him to testify, and told reporters over the weekend that “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,” he said. “Epstein’s victims have to be the first priority.”

Echoing the prime minister’s position, a royal source told the BBC that “anyone who has information should consider helping any investigation”.

“But that is ultimately a matter for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and his conscience,” the source added.