Pressure is mounting on Prince Andrew to testify before the United States Congress regarding his connection to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Several Democratic members of the House Oversight Committee have renewed their calls for the Duke of York to cooperate with US investigators, urging him to appear voluntarily and provide crucial testimony that could help victims and shed light on the full extent of Epstein’s criminal network.
The calls intensified following the decision by King Charles III to strip Andrew of his “Prince” title on Thursday, marking the most severe public rebuke of a senior royal in decades. The move followed months of controversy and public scrutiny surrounding Andrew’s long association with Epstein. While the Duke of York continues to deny all allegations of wrongdoing, members of Congress argue that his silence only deepens suspicions and undermines the pursuit of justice for Epstein’s survivors.
Speaking to the BBC, Congressman Suhas Subramanyam said, “If he wants to clear his name, if he wants to do right by the victims, he will come forward.” He added that Andrew could testify remotely, with legal representation present, or even provide private testimony to the committee. “Frankly, Andrew’s name has come up many times from the victims,” Subramanyam continued. “He clearly has knowledge of what happened, and we just want him to tell us what he knows.”
Other members of the Oversight Committee have echoed this sentiment. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi told BBC Newsnight that he would be willing to issue a subpoena for Andrew, although he admitted that enforcing it outside the US would be legally complicated. “However, if Andrew wishes to come to the United States or he’s here, then he’s subject to the jurisdiction of the US Congress, and I would expect him to testify,” Krishnamoorthi said.
He continued, “At the end of the day, we want to know exactly what happened — not just to give justice to the survivors, but to prevent this from ever happening again. Come clean. Come before the US Congress. Don’t wait for a subpoena. Testify and tell us what you know.”
Another committee member, Congressman Stephen Lynch, agreed that Andrew’s testimony could “help bring justice for survivors” but acknowledged the logistical limitations of compelling a foreign national to testify. Meanwhile, Epstein accusers themselves have joined the call for transparency.
Liz Stein, one of Epstein’s accusers, told BBC Breakfast that Andrew should “take some initiative” and assist investigators. “A lot of us are curious as to why he’s unwilling to cooperate,” she said. “If he has nothing to hide, then why is he hiding? We know he had a longstanding friendship with Epstein and that he was in his social circle — so he may have seen things that he could speak to.”
Another accuser, Anouska De Georgiou, also urged Andrew to appear before Congress, emphasizing that he should be “treated the same as anybody else.” Their remarks underscore a growing sentiment among victims’ advocates that accountability must extend to all who were close to Epstein, regardless of their social or political standing.
The scandal surrounding Andrew’s relationship with Epstein has long cast a shadow over the British monarchy. In 2019, the Duke’s now-infamous interview with BBC’s Newsnight — in which he denied allegations made by Virginia Giuffre that he had sex with her on three occasions when she was underage — only fueled public outrage. His claim of not recalling key events and his bizarre explanation regarding “not sweating” during one alleged incident drew widespread criticism and mockery.
In the aftermath, Andrew withdrew from public duties and largely retreated from royal life. The Palace has maintained that while Andrew continues to deny all allegations, there have been “serious lapses of judgment” in his conduct. The decision to strip him of titles and honors — as well as his reported relocation from the Royal Lodge to a smaller estate on King Charles’s property — further underscores his fall from grace.
Adding to the pressure are newly surfaced emails and documents. Court records published on Friday revealed that in 2010, shortly after Epstein was released from prison for soliciting prostitution from a minor, Andrew emailed Epstein saying it would be “good to catch up in person.” Days later, the two were photographed walking together in Central Park, a meeting that Andrew later described as an attempt to “end their friendship.”
Meanwhile, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has reportedly contacted Scotland Yard’s Directorate of Professional Standards to assess whether further investigation is warranted. The move comes after reports emerged that Andrew may have tried to obtain private information about Virginia Giuffre through his police protection officers in 2011 — claims that he has not commented on publicly.
In the UK, public sentiment has grown increasingly unforgiving. Members of Parliament such as Chris Bryant, the trade minister, have stated that Andrew should answer US investigators “just as any ordinary member of the public would.” Across social media, the public reaction has been a mix of anger and disbelief that the scandal continues to unfold without a full resolution.
Observers note that the situation represents a critical test for both the monarchy and its modern reputation. The Palace’s statement accompanying the removal of Andrew’s titles made clear that “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.”
Yet for many, symbolic actions are not enough. With Congress now openly considering ways to bring Andrew before US investigators, the spotlight once again returns to his role in one of the most disturbing and high-profile scandals of the century.
For now, Prince Andrew remains largely silent. Whether he will heed the calls to appear before the House Oversight Committee — and finally offer answers about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein — remains to be seen.
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