US lawmakers wrote a letter to Britain’s disgraced former Prince Andrew on Thursday requesting an interview about his friendship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The letter was revealed as King Charles III formally stripped his younger brother of his titles, following last week’s announcement that Andrew was being banished from the monarchy.
Sixteen members of Congress from the Democratic Party signed a letter asking Andrew to participate in a “scripted interview” with the House of Representatives oversight committee investigating Epstein, who committed suicide in 2019 while facing sex trafficking charges.
“The committee seeks to uncover the identities of Mr. Epstein’s co-conspirators and enablers and to understand the full extent of his criminal operations,” the letter said.
“Well-documented allegations against you, together with your longstanding friendship with Mr. Epstein, indicate that you may possess knowledge of his activities relevant to our investigation.”
The letter asked Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, to respond by November 20.
It was signed by Democrats, who are in the minority in the House of Representatives. The US Congress also does not have the power to compel testimony from foreigners, making it unlikely that Andrew will testify.
A spokesperson for the former prince did not immediately respond to a request for comment from AFP.
Emails recently released by the commission, as well as a posthumous memoir written by Andrew’s accuser Virginia Giuffre, have reignited British anger over Andrew’s ties to Epstein.
It culminated in Charles deciding to remove all royal titles and honors from Andrew and announcing that he would be evicted from his 30-room mansion on the royal estate at Windsor, west of London.
Charles formally made the changes with an announcement published on Wednesday in The Gazette, Britain’s official public record.
Andrew has always denied sexually assaulting Giuffre, claiming she was trafficked to have sex with him three times, twice when she was just 17.
After she filed a lawsuit against him, he paid her a multi-million pound settlement in 2022 without making any admissions of guilt.
Giuffre, a U.S. and Australian citizen, died by suicide at her home in Australia in April.
Readers seeking support can call Lifeline crisis support on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14 and Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.
If you or someone you know is affected by sexual abuse, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732, or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In case of emergency you can call 000.
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