Prince Edward has broken his silence on the scandal surrounding his brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
During a televised interview with a CNN anchor on Tuesday, Edward was asked about the recent release of new files related to Jeffrey Epstein, which included incriminating photographs of Andrew.
While at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, CNN correspondent Eleni Giokos prefaced her question by calling the topic “super important because it’s been dominating headlines.”
“The last few days have been very interesting, very difficult, and I’m sure for you, sir, as well. This is an important question to ask, and I want to ask it in the context of what we’ve seen from Their Majesties and their response, and they’re saying that we should be focused specifically on the experience of the victims. The palace has been very clear on that,” she said. “We’ve just heard some commentary from [British] prime minister Keir Starmer as well. Bearing that in mind, he’s saying that there needs to be assistance for the victims, and I wonder what you think of this because it is so close to home, clearly very difficult. And I know you’ve put in various plans in place to move the institution forward, but how are you coping with that?”
The 61-year-old Edward appeared to be caught off guard and responded, “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.”
A source tells Vanity Fair that Edward, who is known to have a close relationship with his brother, “knew that such a question might come up and was prepared.”
“He and the whole family are appalled by the stories and pictures that have come out over the weekend,” the royal insider says.
King Charles and Queen Camilla have also expressed their sympathy for Epstein’s victims. “Their 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,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement following Charles’s decision to strip Andrew of his titles last year.
While it is understood that Charles was unaware of the scope of his brother’s association with Epstein, the recently released files shed new light on the extent of their relationship. Sources close to Charles say he is concerned about the damage the latest revelations are doing to the monarchy in Britain and overseas. “Frankly, he is relieved Andrew is out and feels vindicated that he removed Andrew’s titles. Now he just needs him out of Windsor and out of the way. Andrew is very much persona non grata.”
Buckingham Palace declined to comment, saying that it does not act or speak for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
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