King Charles III's refusal to meet the brother of Jeffrey Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre has reignited scrutiny over the monarchy's handling of the long-running scandal surrounding Prince Andrew.
The decision, confirmed ahead of the monarch's 27 April 2026 state visit to the United States, underscores the enduring sensitivity of the case and its legal implications. Buckingham Palace said any such meeting risked interfering with ongoing police inquiries and potential legal proceedings.
The move comes a year after Giuffre's death at age 41 and amid renewed calls from her family for accountability. It also places King Charles III under intensified public and political pressure as he navigates diplomatic duties alongside a persistent royal crisis.
Buckingham Palace issued a rare and unusually detailed statement explaining why the King would not meet Sky Roberts, Giuffre's brother, during his US visit.
A palace spokesperson said that while there was 'full understanding' of survivors' concerns, any engagement risked affecting 'ongoing police inquiries and assessments' as well as 'potential legal action'. Officials argued that even a small risk of interference could ultimately undermine survivors' pursuit of justice.
The statement emphasised the monarch's constitutional constraints, noting that King Charles III must remain neutral in matters that could intersect with judicial processes. It added that public comments or private meetings could inadvertently influence legal outcomes, a scenario the Palace said it 'simply can't take'.
Despite the explanation, the refusal has drawn criticism from campaigners who argue that symbolic gestures from senior royals can play a crucial role in supporting survivors of abuse.
King Charles’s lawyers denied my request for the King to meet with Epstein survivors next week.The British Monarchy can be seen as a relic of colonialism & imperialism, or it can be a modern force for standing up for women's rights & human rights. I hope he will reconsider.https://t.co/WZdYE4LR39
Sky Roberts has publicly appealed for a meeting, framing it as a moment of acknowledgement rather than political intervention.
In an interview, Roberts said he wanted the King to 'look me in the face' and recognise his sister beyond headlines. He described the meeting as an opportunity for the monarch to demonstrate leadership and solidarity with survivors of sexual abuse.
Source: International Business Times UK
