King Charles mocked Prince Andrew and Epstein scandal at Royal Outing

King Charles was confronted by his brother Prince Andrews connection to Jeffrey Epstein during a royal walk.

Under one day away in Staffordshire on Monday 27 October the King greeted well-wishers outside Lichfield Cathedral. As he shook hands and spoke to members of the public, one person shouted questions about Prince Andrew as the monarch approached.

“How long have you known Andrew and Epstein?” said the heckler, as seen in images shared on social media by the anti-monarchy group Republic. “Have you asked the police to cover for Andrew? Have you asked the police to cover for Andrew, Charles? What do you think – should MPs be allowed to debate the royals in the House of Commons?”

King Charles, 76, ignored the comments and continued to wave and talk to people. After a while the monarch was led away.

Well-wishers were unhappy with the heckler and told him to “shut up” and “stop.” In movies shared by Daily Mail of the event, one person said, “Now look what you’ve done,” as the king was escorted to the other side to continue the walk.

Prince Andrew, 65, announced Friday, Oct. 17, that he would relinquish the use of his royal titles and honors amid renewed interest in his relationship with Epstein, who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal conspiracy and sex-trafficking charges.

In a statement released by Buckingham Palace on Friday, Queen Elizabeth’s second son said: “In discussion with the King and my immediate and wider family, we have come to the conclusion that the continued allegations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family. I have decided, as I have always done, to put my duty to my family and my country first. I stand by my decision from public life five years ago to stand back.”

“With His Majesty’s agreement, we feel that I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honors that have been bestowed upon me,” he added. “As I have said before, I vigorously deny the allegations against me.”

Prince Andrew stepped back from his public royal role 2019 after his headline making BBC interview where he discussed his relationship with Epstein. Queen Elizabeth then took her son away military titles and patronage in January 2022 after a judge rejected his attempt to get Giuffres sexual assault trial against him dismissed. He settled with Giuffre out of court for an undisclosed sum.

Prince Andrew has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.

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Prince Andrew has continued to join the royals at family gatherings since then, but Sunday Times recently reported that Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Fergusonwould not be welcomed by King Charles for the royal family’s annual Christmas outing at Sandringham this year. Similar to 2024, when Andrews Chinese spy scandal made headlines and Sarah was “enlisted” to keep him out of the family festivities, the monarch reportedly asked the couple to keep a low profile on the holiday and celebrate on their own.

A source close to the monarch told the news agency, “You can’t kick someone out of being your brother. But this year, if the duke and duchess were both as honorable (as last year), it would be very much for the best and the family would not be disappointed, not least to avoid the king having to make any more difficult decisions.”

A new report from The sun on October 27 stated that amid the criticism, Prince Andrew is alleged to have agreed to leave his longtime home Royal Lodge. But the deal reportedly requires him to move into Frogmore Cottage, the former royal home Meghan Markle and Prince Harrywhile his ex-wife, who has lived with him in the huge mansion in Windsor Great Park despite their divorce in 1996, could move into Adelaide Cottage, which Prince William and Kate Middleton is about to evacuate.

“Talks are still ongoing,” a source close to the proceedings tells PEOPLE.