Prince William had to face quite uncomfortable questions during his recent royal tour. The heir to the British throne was indeed Prince William, Questioned About Ex-Prince Andrew while visiting Saudi Arabia this week. It is a matter of scandal referring to his uncle’s connection to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Public Confrontation in Riyadh
On Tuesday, February 10, the Prince of Wales was passing by journalists in Riyadh. He was going to MISK Sports City to meet young athletes. Suddenly, a reporter shouted a question directly to him.
“Sir, to what extent do you think the royal family has done enough around the Andrew and Epstein issue? ” the journalist asked.
Prince William remained silent. It is still in doubt whether he heard the question or not. Nevertheless, the incident was caught on camera and quickly went viral.
Breaking Royal Silence
Just a day before the event, Prince William and Kate Middleton released their first joint statement. The couple had made a statement by their spokesperson regarding the matter.
“I can confirm the Prince and Princess have been very concerned by the continuing revelations, ” the statement read. “They have kept the victims in their thoughts throughout. “
This statement was made after the US Department of Justice released new Epstein files. The files contain very disturbing photographs and letter exchanges involving Andrew.
What the New Documents Reveal
The latest DOJ release includes several concerning items:
Key Revelations:
| Type | Content | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | Images showing the former prince on all fours over a woman | Face redacted, context unclear |
| Email Exchanges | 2010 messages between Epstein and Mountbatten-Windsor | Discussions about meeting a 26-year-old Russian woman |
| Meeting Plans | Dinner arrangements at Buckingham Palace | Epstein writes they will “need/have private time” |
| Trade Allegations | Claims of sharing confidential information | Under police investigation |
The files also have a picture that seems to verify a notorious photo from 2001. The photo is of Mountbatten, Windsor, with his arm around Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s trafficking victims.
Growing Political Pressure
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has now called for action. He wants Mountbatten-Windsor to testify before the US Congress.
“First of all, it must be Epstein’s victims, ” said Starmer to the press. “If you are not prepared to do that, then you can’t be victim-centered. “
On the other hand, Thames Valley Police are looking at new allegations brought to their attention. The police are performing a criminal investigation into the case of the trafficked woman who might have been taken to Windsor in 2010. The woman was said to be in her twenties then.
Royal Family’s Response
King Charles has used his power against his brother in a way never done before. Finally, Andrew was deprived of his status as a prince and royal residence in October 2025 by the decision of the king.
Among other things, his Majesty said in the King’s Official Statement on February 9:
The King has made clear, by words and unprecedented actions, his profound concern at accusations continually surfacing against Mr. Mountbatten, Windsor.
Buckingham Palace, furthermore, disclosed its willingness to work with the police investigations. The palace is ready to provide assistance to Thames Valley Police if required.
Pattern of Public Questioning
This is not the first time the royal family has encountered confrontation from the public. Actually, a number of events have happened recently:
- January 20: William and Kate got heckled while visiting a pub in Scotland.
- February 4: Queen Camilla was asked about the victims of Epstein at a school visit.
- February 5: King Charles was questioned about a possible police investigation.
During each occasion, the royals kept their calm. However, they have neither confirmed nor denied the questions in public.
Prince Edward Speaks Out
The Duke of Edinburgh was the first royal to publicly comment on the matter. In an exclusive CNN interview, he stressed the significance of thinking about victims. The short statement of the Prince recognized the seriousness of the situation.
Andrew’s Previous Denials
Mountbatten Windsor has always denied the accusations. In his interview with the BBC in 2019, he stated that he never saw or knew about Epstein’s illegal activities. He also doubted the authenticity of the famous picture with Virginia Giuffre.
Still, he agreed to a settlement for the lawsuit filed by Giuffre in 2022. By denying any misconduct, he nevertheless recognized her as a victim of trafficking and her pain.
William’s Diplomatic Challenge
The Saudi Arabia trip was already a complex operation. Among other things, Prince William had to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who is a controversial figure. One of the Epstein documents contains a picture of MBS with Epstein, thus complicating the matter even more.
In spite of the above difficulties, William needs to concentrate on deepening the UK-Saudi ties. The visit was initiated by the British government and carries great diplomatic weight.
Moving Forward
The scandal is still eclipsing the royal engagements. One of the scenarios in which Prince William was questioned on Ex, Prince Andrew, is but a glimpse of the confrontations that the family faces now on a regular basis.
The royal family seems to have a well-thought-out strategy: showing empathy for the victims and, at the same time, encouraging the police investigations. They have even taken drastic steps against Mountbatten, Windsor, by stripping off his titles and evicting him.
Nevertheless, the questions remain as to what the relatives knew and at what point. There is a demand for the public to hold the family accountable. Victims need to be given the right answers.
As the release of the documents increases, the royal family’s pressure will possibly not let off. Prince William and his family will have to juggle their compassion for the victims and their royal duties. Their ability to regain the public’s trust will be tested in the near future.
