Prince Edward has become the first member of the royal family to publicly respond to the latest release of files linked to Jeffrey Epstein, urging people to keep the focus on the victims.
Speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, Edward was asked how he was coping with the renewed attention surrounding the Epstein documents. The question came during a panel discussion on education, not royal affairs, which Edward was quick to point out.
With a measured response, he said the subject was not why the audience had gathered, but added that it was always important to remember who the real victims were in situations like this.
Edward’s comments come amid growing pressure on his brother Andrew, who is named in the newly released US Justice Department files. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said Andrew should appear before a US congressional committee following fresh revelations about his past links to Epstein.
The documents include emails suggesting Andrew remained in contact with Epstein for more than two years after Epstein had been convicted of child sex offences. Other material released has renewed scrutiny of Andrew’s conduct during that period.
Separately, a US lawyer told the BBC that a woman has alleged she was sent to Britain by Epstein in 2010 to meet Andrew at a royal property near Windsor. This is the second such claim, following earlier allegations made by Virginia Giuffre.
Andrew has consistently denied all accusations. In 2022, he reached a financial settlement in a US civil case brought by Giuffre without admitting wrongdoing. Giuffre died in April.
Edward, the late Queen Elizabeth’s youngest son, did not address his brother directly, but his brief remarks marked the first public reaction from within the royal family since the files were made public.
