Prince Andrew is facing renewed scrutiny over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, as calls grow for him to testify before U.S. authorities investigating Epstein's sex trafficking network. U.S. attorney Gloria Allred and Epstein victims' lawyer Spencer Kuvin are among those pressing for Andrew to cooperate with federal investigators. Meanwhile, Senator Marsha Blackburn has demanded the FBI and IRS release unredacted records related to Epstein's associates, increasing pressure on officials to disclose names linked to the disgraced financier.
Jack Royston, Newsweek's Royal Editor, stated that Andrew "should have given a deposition to the FBI," adding, "They weren't even trying to speak to him as a suspect; they wanted to speak to him as a witness. It was the least he could have done." The FBI previously sought to interview Andrew in 2020, but the investigation stalled last year. Newly revealed court documents indicate Andrew remained in contact with Epstein in early 2011, despite his claim in a 2019 BBC interview that he severed ties with Epstein in December 2010.
Andrew, who paid a multimillion-dollar settlement to Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre in 2022 while denying any wrongdoing, has reportedly avoided traveling to the U.S. due to fears he could be arrested or subpoenaed. A source close to Andrew said, "He is terrified if he goes to America he could be arrested, face civil action or be subpoenaed. Since the whole thing blew up, he's only been to Bahrain, where he has friends."
The renewed scrutiny also raises concerns for King Charles, who has distanced himself from his younger brother. Allred called on the royal family to address Andrew's links to Epstein, stating, "My sense is they would all (the Royal Family) like it to end, but this is a drip, drip drip of information is like a water torture test." She urged Charles to take a public stance supporting victims of sexual violence, saying, "Surely, that is the public image they would like to have."
Andrew's finances have also come under question. A recent tribunal ruling found that his close associate, Yang Tenbo, had not been truthful about his ties to the Chinese government. Royston suggested that Andrew's relationship with Tenbo "might have been the thin edge of the wedge" regarding concerns about where he obtains his funding. "For Charles, obviously, Andrew's going to need money if he's going to stay at Royal Lodge for the rest of his life. If I was Charles, I'd be very concerned about where that money is going to come from," Royston said.
Efforts to remove Andrew from Royal Lodge have intensified. The king withdrew his £1 million annual allowance and security detail, reportedly urging Andrew to move into Frogmore Cottage, formerly occupied by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Andrew has since secured independent funding to remain in the Windsor estate with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson.
Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed last week that Epstein's client list is currently under review for potential public release. "It's sitting on my desk right now to review," Bondi told Fox News, citing a directive from President Donald Trump to declassify records related to Epstein and other high-profile cases. A bipartisan congressional panel, led by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, is expected to examine the documents.
Calls for Andrew to testify have persisted since his disastrous 2019 Newsnight interview, in which he failed to explain his relationship with Epstein and struggled to refute allegations. Allred criticized his silence, stating, "We can handle the truth, and the public deserves the truth because he gave that interview, and since then he's gone radio silent."
Kuvin has urged the U.K. government to allow the FBI to question Andrew, stating, "The British monarchy should be embarrassed. He should be fully separated from the monarchy and the public should never be subsidizing someone who has either such bad judgment to be friends with this man or could have been involved with him."
