Epstein Scandal Shadows King Charles’ Washington Visit as Survivors Demand Accountability

King Charles III’s recent visit to Washington was marked by regal ceremony and political fanfare, but just miles from the White House, a different story unfolded. Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s horrific sex-trafficking ring, alongside family members and advocates, gathered on Capitol Hill demanding recognition and accountability—an urgent call largely ignored by both British royalty and the US administration.

Virginia Giuffre’s brother, Sky Roberts, put it bluntly: “You would expect this to be a moment for the king to give a message to the world that he stands with survivors. We still can’t get that from our own president of the US, who continues to say ‘hoax,’ ‘victims or whatever.’” Roberts’ sharp critique highlights the ongoing failure of powerful institutions to confront the Epstein scandal honestly and fully.

The visit coincides with a year since Giuffre’s death by suicide following her accusations against Prince Andrew, King Charles’ brother, who has denied all allegations. Buckingham Palace’s decision to avoid any direct meeting with survivors or public statements about Epstein underscores a broader strategy of silence, aimed at protecting the royal family amid ongoing legal probes.

Democratic Representative Ro Khanna, a key figure in pushing for the release of millions of Justice Department files on Epstein, requested that King Charles meet survivors during his US visit. That request was declined, reflecting the monarchy’s caution not to influence the criminal investigation into Prince Andrew.

Instead, Queen Camilla met with domestic violence advocates, while King Charles addressed a joint session of Congress—where, according to Khanna, the king planned to acknowledge Epstein survivors, though advocates remain skeptical about the sincerity and impact of such gestures.

The Epstein scandal’s reach extends far beyond the royal family. In the US, despite the flood of released documents, only Ghislaine Maxwell has faced prosecution. The Justice Department claims no ongoing investigations into others who may have enabled Epstein’s crimes. Meanwhile, the UK pursues multiple probes, including into former British ambassador Peter Mandelson, who allegedly passed sensitive information to Epstein.

Lauren Hersh of World Without Exploitation emphasized the missed opportunity: “King Charles’ visit to the US is an opportunity to do right by the survivors who so bravely confronted one of the world’s most powerful institutions.” Hersh urged the US to follow the UK’s example in holding all participants in Epstein’s network accountable.

Survivors themselves express frustration with symbolic gestures, focusing instead on demanding full transparency and justice in the United States. Their fight continues, a stark reminder that no amount of royal ceremony can mask the urgent need for accountability in one of the most damaging scandals of our time.