During the upcoming US tour, the Queen is set to meet survivors of domestic abuse multiple times, while avoiding encounters with victims of Jeffrey Epstein. Calls for the royals to engage with Epstein’s sex trafficking victims have been rebuffed due to ongoing police investigations.
Former Prince Andrew has faced pressure to cooperate with US investigators examining Epstein’s crimes. Alongside his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, Andrew was mentioned in documents released by the US State Department regarding the late billionaire financier.
Congressman Ro Khanna, who co-sponsored legislation for the release of Epstein files, urged the King to privately meet victims to hear first-hand accounts of their experiences with powerful individuals and institutions’ failures.
Expressing sympathy for abuse victims, both the King and Queen have a history of supporting survivors. Despite facing criticism, the royals aim to strengthen US-UK ties during the tour, focusing on the ‘Special Relationship’ amid global challenges.
The visit is scheduled from April 27-30, commencing in Washington and encompassing New York and Virginia. Palace sources emphasized the importance of building alliances and celebrating shared history during State Visits.
