Prince Andrew faces fresh pressure over US Epstein testimony request
Prince Andrew is facing renewed scrutiny after a US congressman said the House Oversight Committee has repeatedly sought to speak with him about his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, with royal commentators warning the situation risks further reputational damage for the monarchy.
Fox News reported that Rep. Robert Garcia said the committee has sent multiple letters to the former Duke of York seeking a conversation, while British royals expert Ms Hilary Fordwich argued the optics of ignoring the requests are “ghastly” for both Prince Andrew and the royal family.
In the report, Ms Fordwich suggested the Duke’s “silence & evasion” could be driven by fears of further damaging revelations, and said the distance created between him and other royals reflects concern about the impact on the institution. The article also quoted royal commentator Mr Richard Fitzwilliams, who said Prince Andrew had previously promised to aid US lawmakers but “clearly never intended to”, adding that he could not be compelled to cooperate.
The latest claims follow ongoing efforts by senior royals to demonstrate cooperation with law enforcement, with previous Britpop News reporting that King Charles was said to be ready to support an Epstein-related probe involving Prince Andrew as the palace seeks to reinforce its stance on accountability.
Prince Andrew stepped back from royal duties in 2019 following a widely criticised BBC Newsnight interview and has since remained outside the working royal fold. Any formal legal step by US authorities, such as a subpoena request, would likely intensify pressure on the Duke and sharpen questions about how the monarchy manages fallout from past associations.
