Royal aides fear a meeting could spark global headlines and place the monarch in a difficult position
King Charles is reportedly facing growing pressure to meet survivors linked to Jeffrey Epstein during his upcoming trip to the United States, but palace aides believe such a move could create serious complications for the monarchy.
The King is still expected to travel to the US next month to take part in events marking the country’s 250th independence anniversary. Although preparations for the visit are said to be quietly underway, officials have not yet formally confirmed the three-day trip.
The planned visit is already surrounded by diplomatic tensions. The US president recently criticised Britain after it initially refused permission for American military aircraft flying from the Diego Garcia base. At the same time, the ongoing war in the Middle East has added to the political pressure, with some voices calling for the monarch to delay the trip altogether.
Despite those challenges, another sensitive issue may prove even more difficult for the palace to manage.
King Charles’s brother, Andrew, previously had connections with Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier whose crimes triggered international outrage. Because of that link, the issue could resurface during the King’s American visit.
Some US lawmakers have recently urged the monarch to meet survivors connected to Epstein’s case. Congressman Ro Khanna has been among those pushing for such a meeting, arguing that it would show support for victims. Another lawmaker, Suhas Subramanyam, has also called for further scrutiny, including suggestions that Andrew’s former wife should answer questions about alleged connections to Epstein.
However, palace insiders say arranging a meeting between the King and Epstein survivors could send the wrong message. According to reports, aides worry it might appear as though the monarch is acting as a source of justice or implicitly acknowledging wrongdoing by his brother.
That is a scenario officials are keen to avoid, particularly since Andrew has not been found guilty of any crime in a court of law.
For now, the King’s visit is expected to take place from April 26 to April 28, though the palace has yet to issue a formal confirmation while discussions continue behind the scenes.
