King Charles III’s recent decision to revoke Prince Andrew’s princely title due to his association with Jeffrey Epstein prompted a reaction from US President Donald Trump, who expressed regret for the British royal family’s situation. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump stated that he felt “badly” for them, calling the developments “tragic” and lamenting the turmoil surrounding the monarchy.
This controversy comes at a time when Trump, age 79, has also encountered political scrutiny over his own past connection to Epstein, the financier who died in custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. Although Trump has denied any wrongdoing and framed the allegations as politically driven, his long-standing acquaintance with Epstein has continued to invite public attention. Earlier this year, his administration announced that a review had found no new evidence warranting further investigation.
Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, fallout from Andrew’s links to Epstein continues to escalate. Following King Charles’ decision to remove Andrew’s royal status and expel him from his residence on the Windsor estate, the British government has moved to strip him of his final honorary military role as vice-admiral. Andrew lost his other ceremonial military titles in 2022 under Queen Elizabeth II after being sued by Virginia Giuffre, Epstein’s primary accuser, who alleged she was trafficked to engage in sexual activity with the prince as a teenager. Andrew has consistently denied the allegations.
Despite once being celebrated for his military service during the Falklands War, Andrew’s reputation has collapsed under public pressure and legal scrutiny. His downfall reflects the wider and continuing impact of the Epstein scandal, which has triggered conspiracy theories, political friction, and high-profile reputational damage on both sides of the Atlantic.
