LONDON — King Charles III faced unprecedented public frustration during the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on March 9 as demonstrators boldly questioned the royal family’s knowledge of Prince Andrew’s troubling ties to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. This marked a significant public outing for the royals following Andrew’s arrest on February 19, where he was detained for 11 hours on allegations of misconduct in public office before being released under investigation.
Outside the Abbey, members of the anti-monarchy group Republic gathered, brandishing bright yellow signs with messages like “What did you know?” and “Charles, what are you hiding?” As the king’s motorcade arrived, the crowd’s chants of “Charlie, Charlie, time to go!” rang through the air, competing with the sounds of bells from the historic cathedral.
The tension escalated as protesters displayed posters featuring photos of Andrew alongside Virginia Giuffre, as well as a deeply unsettling image from recently unsealed Epstein documents. The images highlighted mounting public anger directed at the monarchy amidst ongoing allegations against Andrew, who has been stripped of his royal titles.
Despite the unrest outside, the King attended the service with Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Kate Middleton, presenting a facade of unity. Other senior royals, including Princess Anne, joined the ceremony, which celebrated the Commonwealth, encompassing 56 nations and 2.7 billion people.
Graham Smith, chief executive of Republic, emphasized the need for accountability from the royals. He urged the royal family to clarify their knowledge of Andrew’s actions. “Charles and William—what did you know about Andrew? It’s a straightforward question, yet one the royals seem unable to answer,” he stated. “It’s hard to believe they had no understanding of the serious allegations against him.”
The protests reflect a broader discontent with Prince Andrew’s continued association with royal properties, even as allegations against him persist. His arrest occurred at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate, where he was staying alone, and involved police officers searching Royal Lodge, his previous residence.
This incident marked a historic moment; Andrew is the first senior British royal to be arrested in recent history. In response to the situation, King Charles issued a statement expressing concern about the arrest but refraining from defending Andrew. “Let me state clearly: the law must take its course,” the King said, indicating that the royal family would fully cooperate with authorities.
Experts, including author Robert Jobson, highlighted the gravity of the current predicament, suggesting that any revelations surrounding what royal family members knew could have significant repercussions. A palace insider remarked on the unique nature of the crisis, noting that while the monarchy has faced other scandals, an arrest from within the institution presents a particularly severe dilemma.
The scrutiny surrounding Andrew’s prior association with Epstein has intensified, especially regarding his tenure as the UK’s special representative for international trade from 2001 to 2011. Newly released FBI documents indicate troubling encounters that have further tainted his reputation. In 2022, Andrew settled financially with Giuffre, who alleged sexual abuse. Giuffre was a prominent figure in the fight against Epstein and tragically died by suicide in April 2025.
King Charles has faced heckling previously over the Epstein scandal, underscoring the growing dissatisfaction with the monarchy. During another public engagement in October 2025, a protester confronted the King, prompting royal supporters to rally in his defense.
Inside Westminster Abbey, the King addressed the gathered audience without mentioning the protests, asserting that the Commonwealth is “a force for good” amid global divisions. While the service continued, Andrew remained under investigation at Wood Farm, as family members navigated the fallout from the arrest. His ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, was overseas, and their daughter Princess Eugenie was skiing when the news broke. In contrast, Princess Beatrice has largely avoided public appearances during this period.
As protests continue, Smith concluded his remarks with a stark assessment of the monarchy’s future, suggesting that the momentum for the Republic movement is increasing, framing it as a question of when, rather than if, the monarchy will face significant changes.