US Democrat Ro Khanna on Monday (local time) called on King Charles to meet the bereaved of late and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during his expected visit to the US.
Although the trip has not been officially confirmed, King Charles and Queen Camilla are reportedly planning to visit Washington in April, according to the BBC.
Ro Khanna invites King Charles to meet the survivors
Khanna, who co-sponsored the Epstein Files Transparency Act that last year forced the US Department of Justice (DOJ) to release Epstein-related documents, wrote to King asking for a private meeting with survivors so he could hear first-hand how powerful individuals and institutions failed them.
Khanna said in his letter that the survivors are seeking such a meeting. He added that his request comes at a time of recent developments in the UK, including renewed scrutiny of individuals and institutions linked to Epstein and his network. He said the development raised serious concerns about conduct, access and whether positions of public trust had been abused or whether institutions had helped to cover up wrongdoing. He also noted that the King’s call for a full, fair and proper investigation confirms the seriousness of the situation.
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Khanna emphasized that the problem goes beyond the United States. “As you know, this is not just an American issue,” he wrote in a letter to the king.
He pointed out that Epstein’s network had deep connections to the UK through his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, his links to British public figures and the elite social and political circles he was part of. Those ties, he said, raise broader questions about how Epstein was able to maintain influence, credibility and protection across countries for so long.
Congress seeks testimony
Khanna also referred to references to the former Prince Andrew, the king’s brother, in Epstein’s files and said the US Congress had sought testimony from him and Peter Mandelson. While Andrew did not respond, Mandelson refused to cooperate with the Oversight Committee regarding his reported links to Epstein.
Andrew and Mandelson deny the connection
Prince Andrew, who has been named several times in documents related to Epstein, has consistently denied any connection. He was arrested by Thames police last month after his role as a trade envoy came under scrutiny following Justice Department documents which claimed he shared sensitive details of his trips to Asia with Epstein.
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In the early 2000s, Andrew also faced accusations of sexually assaulting Virginia Giuffre, who survived Epstein and later died by suicide. The BBC report noted that Andrew, who was stripped of his titles last year because of his links to Epstein, cannot be compelled to appear in the US through a subpoena.
Lord Mandelson, meanwhile, remains under investigation after being arrested last month over allegations he passed market-sensitive government information while he was a minister.
King’s possible visit to the US
Although the visit has not been finalised, Khanna’s letter suggests that King Charles and Queen Camilla could travel to the US later in April, with the king expected to address Congress in the week of April 27. If the trip continues, he is also likely to meet US President Donald Trump in Washington.
The visit will take place before the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence in July.
Read also | King Charles to support the police investigation into Andrew Epstein’s links
The attitude of the royal family
Buckingham Palace has previously said the king’s sympathies remain with the victim of abuse. Last month, King Charles also said the royal family would cooperate with police in their investigation into Prince Andrew, who was arrested and later released on suspicion of misconduct in office.
