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In the course of a engagement to a cathedral in Staffordshire on Monday, the King was heckled by a protester who asked him about Prince Andrew's links with convicted sex offender Epstein.

The individual asked how long the King had been aware about his sibling's relationship with Epstein, and also questioned whether he had asked the police to "cover up" for Prince Andrew.

Amid the protest, there were throngs of well-wishers and applause for the King, who was visiting Staffordshire for an engagement.

Prince Andrew's connections with Jeffrey Epstein have been under intense scrutiny in the past few weeks. The prince, who gave up his titles earlier this month, has strongly denied any wrongdoing.

"For how long have you known about Prince Andrew and Epstein? Did you request the authorities to conceal for him?"

The King did not respond but carried on meeting supporters, some of whom chanted "God Save The King". One supporter can be overheard requesting him for a embrace.

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

Controversy Reignited by Posthumous Publication

The controversy over the Duke of York's connections to Jeffrey Epstein has been brought back into focus by misconduct claims repeated in Virginia Giuffre's posthumously-published memoir.

In the publication, Ms Giuffre says she had sexual encounters with the royal on multiple times, including once with Epstein and "several other minors"

Prince Andrew, who reached a financial settlement with Ms Giuffre in 2022, has consistently denied any wrongdoing. In 2019, he told a news program he did not recall meeting Ms Giuffre "at all", and that they "did not have any sort of sexual contact."

Fresh Questions Over Lifestyle and Housing

But in recent times, new inquiries have been asked about how he is able to finance his lifestyle despite not being a working royal.

The revelation that he has only ever paid a token annual rent on his Windsor mansion has heightened the scrutiny over his housing situation - even though he made large payments initially, including for improvements.

The Liberal Democrats said he should be called in before members of parliament to give evidence about his rental agreement of his lodge.

But last Thursday, the authorities declined to give MPs time to debate the royal's status or his residence, despite growing pressure for scrutiny.

The royal household has not commented on whether the Duke of York might move out of his home - or where he might reside.

Related Topics

• The Duke of York
• UK Royal Family
• The Monarch