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In the course of a visit to a cathedral in Staffordshire on the start of the week, the King was heckled by a protester who questioned him about Prince Andrew's links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The individual inquired how long the King had been aware about his sibling's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, and also raised doubts about whether he had instructed the police to "cover up" for Andrew.

Despite the protest, there were throngs of supporters and cheers for the King, who was in Staffordshire for an engagement.

The Duke of York's connections with Jeffrey Epstein have been under renewed focus in recent weeks. The royal, who relinquished his royal duties earlier this month, has categorically denied any wrongdoing.

"For how long have you been aware about Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein? Have you asked the authorities to cover up for Andrew?"

The monarch did not respond but continued greeting fans, some of whom chanted "God Save The King". One supporter can be heard requesting him for a hug.

A female bystander outside the cathedral was also observed telling the heckler to "go away" and to "be quiet".

Controversy Revived by Memoir

The scandal over Prince Andrew's connections to Epstein has been revived by sexual abuse allegations repeated in Virginia Giuffre's recently released memoir.

In the publication, Ms Giuffre says she had sex with the prince on multiple times, including once with Epstein and "eight other young girls"

Andrew, who reached a out-of-court agreement with Ms Giuffre in recent years, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. In 2019, he told a news program he did not remember meeting her "at all", and that they "never had any sort of intimate relations."

New Inquiries About Finances and Living Arrangements

But in recent times, new inquiries have been raised about how he is able to fund his lifestyle despite not being a active member of the royal family.

The disclosure that he has only ever paid a nominal fee on his Windsor mansion has heightened the scrutiny over his living arrangements - even though he made significant contributions initially, including for renovations.

The political party said he should be summoned front of MPs to give testimony about his rental agreement of his residence.

But last week, the authorities declined to give MPs time to debate the royal's status or his home, despite increasing calls for scrutiny.

Buckingham Palace has not commented on whether Prince Andrew might relocate of his home - or where he might go.

Related Topics

• Prince Andrew
• UK Royal Family
• King Charles III