Protesters from the campaign group Republic have hung a picture of former prince Andrew with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein inside Buckingham Palace. The group reportedly purchased tickets to enter the palace as tourists and made their way to the Throne Room, where they displayed a banner bearing the words 'what did you know?'—a slogan used since Andrew was stripped of his titles last year.
Security at the Palace
Graham Smith, Republic's chief executive, told Metro that security at the Royal Family's most famous residence is 'more relaxed than you might think.' He added: 'Wardens asked us to leave, but we were leaving already.' The incident highlights ongoing concerns about palace security and the ease with which activists can access sensitive areas.
Andrew's Relationship with Epstein
Andrew's association with Jeffrey Epstein led to his stepping down as a working royal in November 2019. Last year, King Charles stripped him of his remaining titles. Epstein survivor Virginia Giuffre alleged she was trafficked to the then-prince, and a civil lawsuit she filed against him was settled in February 2022. Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Continued Questions
Since Andrew was cut off by the Royal Family, activists have persistently questioned how much King Charles and Prince William knew about the allegations. Smith said: 'This question isn't going away. It is simply not believable to think that Charles and William weren't briefed years ago about the numerous allegations against Andrew.' The protest underscores the enduring scrutiny of the monarchy's handling of the scandal.
