Prince Andrew is facing increasing pressure from American officials and the family of his main accuser, Virginia Giuffre, to appear in the United States to testify about his relationship with convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Speaking to the BBC, Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna said the Royal Family "has not been transparent," while Democratic Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez declared that King Charles III "should ask his brother" to go to the US to answer questions from Congress.
Buckingham Palace responded by saying that the Royal Family is "willing to cooperate with the police" if formally requested, while the King has expressed "deep concern" about the allegations and stressed solidarity with victims of abuse.
Meanwhile, Thames Valley Police announced that it is investigating a complaint from the anti-monarchist group Republic, alleging that Andrew allegedly shared confidential information with Epstein while he was serving as the UK's trade envoy in 2010–2011.
Congressman Khanna said it would be "appropriate" for Andrew to testify in the US and added that the Royal Family should make public what it knew about Epstein and take responsibility, including reparations to survivors of the abuse.
Democratic senators, including Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, have also supported the call for Andrew to be held accountable by Congress. However, the former prince cannot be legally compelled to appear in the US by a formal subpoena.
The pressure has increased after the publication of millions of new US Justice Department documents related to Epstein, which mention that US authorities had tried several times without success to obtain Andrew's cooperation.
Recently, there have also been reports of claims that a second woman was sent to the UK by Epstein for a sexual encounter with Andrew, and photographs have emerged that allegedly show him in the presence of a woman under suspicious circumstances.
Prince Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing and reached an out-of-court settlement with Giuffre in 2022, without admitting legal liability.
