'The royals should expect more questions on the Epstein files - Prince Edward's response didn't go far enough'

OPINION -- Prince Edward's fumbling response when asked on stage about the newly-released Jeffrey Epstein files, in which his brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is mentioned hundreds of times, could present a new opportunity for the royal family.

The Duke of Edinburgh said we must "remember the victims" of Epstein, becoming the first member of the royal family to speak publicly about the scandal.

But his words have revealed a deafening silence from the monarchy's other members, mainly King Charles, as eyes now turn to Buckingham Palace for an official response to the release of documents.

In October, when the King stripped Andrew of his royal titles and started his eviction from Royal Lodge, Charles – rightly – made it clear his thoughts were with Epstein's victims.

The statement from Buckingham Palace about Andrew's demotion included, for the first time, acknowledgment of abuse survivors from the King and Queen.

It said: "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."

The bad smell around Andrew has been ongoing for 15 years but it was his relationship with Epstein that has been his undoing.

READ MORE: Andrew evicted from Royal Lodge in middle of night

READ MORE: 'Sickening': Detail in Fergie e-mails to Epstein that is unforgivable

READ MORE: The criminal trial threatening to ruin Norway's royal family

Towards the end of last year, the emergence of an email sent from Andrew to Epstein, which was proof of their continued contact, sparked a shift in attitude from the palace and the King when dealing with the Andrew problem.

The King was unremorseful when stripping his brother of his royal titles, and now Andrew has left Royal Lodge and moved to the monarch's private Sandringham estate in Norfolk, far away from the hub of royal life at Windsor.

The King's actions in relation to his brother were widely praised – imagine if the monarch had not done what he had back then and Andrew remained a prince.

The situation would be untenable for the royal family.

Four months have passed since then and there's been many more revelations about Andrew's relationship with the convicted sex offender.

Courtiers were likely well aware, last year, that worse things were to come and they certainly have.

The latest drop of Epstein documents include one which showed a photo of Andrew on all fours leaning over an unnamed woman.

Another shows an invitation to Buckingham Palace sent from the former Duke of York to Epstein.

The newly-released emails have revealed Andrew's ex-wife Sarah Ferguson visited Epstein just five days after he was released from prison for child sex crimes and Sarah Ferguson visited Epstein Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie with her.

The files also revealed she offered Epstein and his friends VIP tours of Buckingham Palace.

Now, a second woman has come forward to claim she was trafficked by Epstein to the UK to have sex with Andrew.

The woman's lawyer told the BBC: "We're talking about at least one woman who was sent by Jeffrey Epstein over to Prince Andrew. And she even had, after a night with Prince Andrew, a tour of Buckingham Palace."

Andrew has always denied the allegations made against him and his mention in the Epstein files do not suggest any wrongdoing.

Buckingham Palace has not commented on the latest release of files.

The emails, sent over the course of several years, also reveal how deeply Epstein was intertwined with Andrew and Ferguson.

On Tuesday, Prince Edward was directly asked about his brother and the latest drop of damming files.

It was insightful to hear what the former prince's close relative had to say on the issue, as Andrew's younger brother.

He was clearly uncomfortable to be asked about the matter and undoubtedly would have preferred to brush it off and move on.

But, to his credit, Edward did not deflect and answered the question.

CNN journalist Eleni Giokos asked the duke: "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, very clear on that. We've just heard some commentary from prime minister Keir Starmer as well, and bearing that in mind, and he's saying that there needs to be assistance for the victims.

"I wonder what you think of this, because it is so close to home, clearly very difficult. I know you've put in various plans in place to move the institution forward, but how are you coping with that?"

Edward replied: "Well, 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.

"Who are the victims in all this?"

Giokos said: "Absolutely".

Edward added: "A lot of victims in all this."

Edward was speaking on stage at the World Governments Summit in Dubai on Tuesday. He was in the United Arab Emirates for the Duke of Edinburgh Award and to "undertake engagements which celebrate the close ties between the UK and UAE", the palace said prior to the trip.

Prince Edward's comments, though not overly insightful, were remarkable only because he is the first royal family member to speak on camera about the latest developments in the Epstein scandal.

The King was hosting an event inside St James' Palace in London on Tuesday.

Edward's response could open up an opportunity for the rest of the royals to comment on the issue, as many observers are hoping they do.

Last week, the Prince and Princess of Wales were heckled by a member of the public while carrying out engagements in Scotland.

The person yelled: "How long have you known about Andrew and Epstein? Have you been covering up for Andrew?"

The couple ignored the man and kept walking.

King Charles, too, was heckled last year before stripping his brother of his prince titles.

There is a feeling the monarch should now make another statement in light of the Epstein files release.

The British royal family has long followed its 'never complain, never explain' mantra with a few exceptions.

In the days after Prince Harry and Meghan's controversial Oprah interview, in which they made many inaccurate accusations about the royal family including that of racism, Prince William broke protocol when he was asked by a reporter: "Is the royal family a racist family, sir?"

William replied: "We're very much not a racist family."

Days earlier, the palace had responded officially to Harry and Meghan's claims with the "recollections may vary" line.

The King and his relatives should expect to be asked about the Andrew-Epstein issue again in the coming days and weeks because of the enormous and legitimate public interest.

Perhaps the British royals should look towards their Norwegian counterparts, who are dealing with their own family crisis.

On Tuesday, the stepson of Norway's future king went on trial for rape and assault charges. The case is expected to last a staggering seven weeks and Marius Borg Høiby is facing 10 years in prison if convicted.

Days before the trial starting, Crown Prince Haakon faced the media and delivered an emotional statement where he affirmed his support for "all the parties involved".

Addressing the alleged victims directly, the Crown Prince said: "We know that many of you are going through a difficult time right now".

Haakon made it clear Høiby was not part of the Royal House, while still being part of the family.

"He is an important part of our family. He is a citizen of Norway, and through that he has the same responsibilities as everyone else, but also the same rights."

And it was not the first time the royal family had commented on the matter, with Crown Prince Haakon previously answering questions from journalists days after Høiby's first arrest in August, 2024.

His wife, Crown Princess Mette-Marit was also mentioned in the newly-released Epstein files and she quickly issued a statement admitting to showing "poor judgement" while expressing "regret having had any contact" with Epstein.

It must be noted Andrew has remained silent since his disastrous BBC Newsnight interview, where he did not express any remorse for Epstein's victims.

The European royals have a much more relaxed attitude to the media and it is not uncommon for them to answer the tough questions at official events.

While a very different situation, and nowhere near as serious as the Andrew saga and Høiby case, King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark were asked about their eldest daughter's decision to wear a t-shirt with a rude slogan on it to a music festival last year.

The t-shirt said "f----d him yesterday".

The King and Queen were asked about it during an engagement and, rather than brushing off the question, Mary answered: "My first thought was: is she completely gone? But let's put it this way, some decisions are better than others".

King Charles and Prince William may feel Prince Edward has 'taken one for the team' by answering the question about Andrew.

But they would serve themselves better, and the monarchy as a whole, by issuing a new statement showing renewed solidarity for Epstein's victims and, by doing so, distancing the institution from the scandal once again.

Because there very well could be even more embarrassing things to come, thanks to Andrew's past friendship with Epstein.

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