Prince Edward Becomes First Royal to Speak Out on the Jeffrey Epstein Scandal - Video

The moment unfolded at the World Governments Summit when Prince Edward was asked to respond to recent developments. His answer, delivered cautiously, marked a notable departure from royal convention.

Prince Edward became the first member of the Royal Family to publicly address the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, stressing that it was essential to keep the focus on those who had suffered harm.

The Duke of Edinburgh was questioned during an appearance at the World Governments Summit in Dubai on February 3, 2026, where he was asked how he was coping following the release of new files connected to the late American sex offender.

The question was put to him on stage by CNN journalist Eleni Giokos, who acknowledged the sensitivity of the moment and the intense media attention surrounding the latest developments.

The exchange occurred just days after the United States Department of Justice published more than three million documents related to the late American financier.

The journalist told the Duke of Edinburgh that the issue had been dominating headlines and described recent days as "very interesting" and "very difficult."

She framed her question in the context of statements from Their Majesties, who had emphasised that attention should remain firmly on the experiences of victims.

Referencing comments from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer about the need for victim support, she asked Prince Edward, "How are you coping with that?" given the proximity of the issue to the Royal Family and the broader efforts he had undertaken to move the institution forward.

Responding cautiously, Prince Edward suggested that the summit audience was not primarily there to hear about the controversy. He said that those in attendance had come to discuss education and future-focused solutions. However, he added:

"I think it's all really important always to remember the victims and who are the victims in all this. A lot of victims in this."

The CNN journalist acknowledged the difficulty of the moment and thanked the Duke of Edinburgh for addressing the question, saying it was essential to ask, given the work he had carried out and the effort he had put into his role.

The exchange occurred just days after the United States Department of Justice published more than three million documents related to the late American financier.

The release revealed further details about the sex offender's associations, including his contact with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the disgraced elder brother of the Duke of Edinburgh.

Prince Edward's comments quickly prompted a wave of reaction online, with some interpreting his words as a defence of his brother. One person commented, "It sounded like he was sticking up for his brother! Questioning who the victims were."

Another responded by pushing back against that interpretation and said, "It may sound like that but he isn't supporting Andrew. Keep in mind very few of the victims have come out publicly, there are many more yet to come forward for various reasons."

The former prince appeared repeatedly in the newly released documents, which included images that appeared to show him crouched over an unidentified woman lying on the floor.

Other remarks were far more critical, with one person typing, "As Edward clearly states; Prince Andrew and Princess Fergie are the victims here 👍."

Another questioned the royal's body language and intent, commenting, "He couldn't possibly be suggesting that A and F are victims surely,a strange hand movement at the end [sic]."

Alongside the criticism, some comments focused on Prince Edward himself rather than the substance of his remarks. One person said, "Dead behind the eyes."

Another netizen took a sharply different view, writing, "Edward is one tough cookie. His steely bearing shows his Marine combat experience in his ice cold eyes ! [sic]"

A further comment praised both his character and intellect, with one person sharing, "I think he was brave to speak out. He might just be the most intelligent one out of the queen's offspring. He doesn't get the attention of his older siblings. He's much more down to earth too. The less spoken of one."

The renewed scrutiny of the Royal Family followed mounting pressure on King Charles III to contact lawyers representing a woman who claimed she had been sent to the United Kingdom by Jeffrey for a sexual encounter with Andrew.

The former prince appeared repeatedly in the newly released documents, which included images that appeared to show him crouched over an unidentified woman lying on the floor.

Elsewhere in the document release, screenshots and scanned correspondence appeared to show Andrew exchanging emails with Jeffrey about a "beautiful" Russian woman and extending an invitation to Buckingham Palace.

In October 2025, the King began the formal process of removing Andrew's remaining titles and ensured he vacated his Windsor residence for Sandringham.

His former wife, Sarah Ferguson, also featured in the papers and appeared to accuse the sex offender of exploiting her connection to Andrew, writing that it had been "crystal clear to me that you were only friends with me to get to Andrew."

Andrew was stripped of his titles by King Charles III last year following the posthumous publication of a book by Virginia Giuffre, who alleged she had been trafficked by Jeffrey and his former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, when she was 17.

Andrew paid millions to Virginia to settle a civil sexual assault claim in 2022, despite maintaining that he had never met her. He has repeatedly and vehemently denied any wrongdoing.

By October 2025, the King had began the formal process of removing Andrew's remaining titles and ensured he vacated his Windsor residence for Sandringham. At the time, the palace issued a statement saying:

"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."

The fallout from the document release extended beyond the Royal Family. Lord Peter Mandelson's historical links to Jeffrey prompted calls for the UK Prime Minister to strip him of his peerage.

However, the former ambassador to the United States resigned his Labour Party membership after the latest disclosures.

Emails from 2009 appeared to show the lord, then business secretary, telling the American sex offender he would lobby ministers about a proposed tax on bankers' bonuses.

Bank records from 2003 and 2004 also appeared to indicate that Jeffrey paid him a total of $75,000 — approximately £61,000 — while he was also said to have funded an osteopathy course for the lord's husband at the time.

Against this backdrop, the Duke of Edinburgh's visit to the United Arab Emirates continued as planned. He had been in the country since Saturday, with the palace stating:

"[Prince Edward will] champion the importance of education, particularly non-formal education and experiential learning, to develop skills and opportunities for young people worldwide."

During the trip, Prince Edward was scheduled to meet students undertaking the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award and to speak with educators about opportunities to collaborate with the programme.