King Charles faces renewed scrutiny over Prince Andrew's Epstein ties during Trump visit

King Charles is once again caught in the crosshairs of Prince Andrew’s scandalous past with Jeffrey Epstein as he rolls out the red carpet for President Donald Trump.

As Windsor Castle prepares for a historic two-day state visit starting Sept. 16, 2025, the shadow of Andrew’s ties to the disgraced financier looms large, compounded by calls for prosecution and protests from Epstein’s victims.

Let’s rewind a bit to understand how we got here. Andrew, once the Duke of York, openly fraternized with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, even inviting them to royal events like Princess Beatrice’s 18th birthday bash at Windsor Castle in 2006. That same event, by the way, also saw disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein in attendance—a guest list that raises eyebrows even now.

Andrew’s troubled history resurfaces again

Fast forward to the fallout: Andrew’s friendship with Epstein and Maxwell led to serious consequences. A 2002 photo emerged after Maxwell’s 2020 arrest, showing her and actor Kevin Spacey on thrones in Buckingham Palace during a private tour hosted by Andrew himself. Turns out, a questionable company can come back to haunt you.

The late Queen Elizabeth II stripped Andrew of his military titles amid the controversy, a move that spoke volumes. He retains his Royal Highness title but no longer uses it officially, relegated to the sidelines as a non-working royal. It’s a polite way of saying, “Stay out of the spotlight, please.”

Then there’s the legal mess with Virginia Giuffre, an Epstein accuser who alleged Andrew forced her into encounters at age 17. Andrew settled with her in February 2022, reportedly paying millions and making a substantial donation to her victims’ rights charity, all while denying any wrongdoing or even meeting her—despite a widely circulated photo suggesting otherwise.

Tragic loss and lingering questions

Tragically, Giuffre took her own life in April 2025 at age 41, a heartbreaking reminder of the human toll behind these headlines. The pain of Epstein’s victims remains raw, especially as the FBI refuses to release more information from their files, fueling ongoing protests.

Enter Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), who isn’t mincing words about Andrew facing justice. “Now seems like a good time to discuss prosecuting Prince Andrew,” she posted on X recently, doubling down with, “A cold dark cell.” Her passion, shown by a tearful exit from a closed-door meeting with victims, is a stark call for accountability that’s hard to ignore.

But let’s be real—Mace’s fiery rhetoric, while understandable, faces a steep uphill battle. Multiple sources suggest Andrew, now 65, won’t dare set foot in the US for fear of arrest or prosecution. Seems like some borders are more than just lines on a map.

Trump’s visit stirs the pot

Meanwhile, King Charles is hosting Trump for a state visit, a rare honor for a second-term president who first visited in 2019 under Queen Elizabeth II. Traditionally, second-term leaders get a casual tea or lunch, not the full Windsor Castle treatment, but Trump’s unconventional style seems to rewrite the rulebook.

Britain’s ambassador to the US, Peter Mandelson, praised Trump’s approach, saying he’s a “risk-taker in a world where a ‘business as usual’ approach no longer works.” It’s a diplomatic nod to Trump’s knack for shaking things up, though one wonders if Charles wishes for a bit more “usual” right now.

Andrew, predictably, isn’t on the guest list for the state dinner honoring Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. Senior royals like Prince William and Kate Middleton will be there, while Andrew’s status as a non-working royal keeps him far from the table—a reminder that actions have consequences, even for royalty.

Diplomatic ties amid personal scandal

This isn’t the first time Trump and Andrew have crossed paths; during Trump’s 2019 visit, they held business meetings. Now, with Andrew sidelined and additional reports of him courting an alleged Chinese spy adding to the embarrassment for Charles, the optics couldn’t be worse.

Yet royal sources insist Andrew’s diminished role won’t jeopardize the special relationship between the US and UK. With plans afoot for William and Kate to possibly attend America’s 250th birthday celebrations in 2026, and Charles potentially joining, health permitting, the focus remains on diplomacy over drama.

Still, as Charles hosts Trump away from a renovating Buckingham Palace, the Epstein saga lingers like an unwanted guest. It’s a stark contrast to the pomp of a state visit, reminding us that even kings can’t escape family baggage. Let’s hope the Windsor Castle china isn’t the only thing staying unbroken during this delicate balancing act.