US lawmakers have formally reached out to former prince Andrew, requesting his participation in an interview regarding his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The letter, sent on November 2, 2023, comes on the heels of King Charles III‘s decision to strip Andrew of his royal titles, marking a significant shift in the royal family’s handling of the ongoing controversy surrounding Andrew’s past.
A group of sixteen Democratic Party members from the House of Representatives signed the letter, which urges Andrew to engage in a “transcribed interview” as part of an investigation into Epstein’s activities. Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, has been linked to numerous high-profile individuals, and lawmakers are seeking to uncover the extent of his operations.
The committee’s correspondence states, “The committee is seeking to uncover the identities of Mr. Epstein’s co-conspirators and enablers and to understand the full extent of his criminal operations.” The letter further emphasizes that Andrew’s long-standing friendship with Epstein and the “well-documented allegations” against him indicate he may possess relevant knowledge.
Andrew, now referred to as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, has until November 20, 2023 to respond to the request. However, the ability of the US Congress to compel testimony from foreign nationals raises doubts about whether Andrew will actually provide evidence. A spokesperson for the former prince did not immediately respond to inquiries about the letter.
The renewed scrutiny surrounding Andrew has been fueled by recently released emails from the House committee and a posthumous memoir from Virginia Giuffre, who has accused Andrew of sexual assault. Giuffre alleges that she was trafficked to have sex with Andrew on three occasions when she was a minor, claims that Andrew has consistently denied.
In 2022, Andrew reached a multi-million-pound settlement with Giuffre, a decision made without any admission of guilt. The fallout from these allegations led to King Charles III’s decision to formally remove all of Andrew’s royal titles and honors, as stated in an official announcement published on November 1, 2023, in The Gazette, the UK’s official public record.
Andrew’s removal from royal duties has been seen as a necessary step to distance the monarchy from the allegations surrounding him. He has been ordered to vacate his residence at a royal estate in Windsor, further signifying his fall from grace within the royal family.
As the investigation into Epstein’s activities continues, the implications for Andrew and the monarchy remain significant. The inquiry seeks to shed light on the relationships Epstein maintained and the potential complicity of those around him.
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