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In the course of a visit to a cathedral in Staffordshire on Monday, the King was shouted at by a man who questioned him about Prince Andrew's links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The man asked how long the King had been aware about his brother's relationship with Epstein, and also raised doubts about whether he had instructed the authorities to "cover up" for Andrew.

Despite the heckling, there were throngs of supporters and cheers for the monarch, who was visiting Staffordshire for an engagement.

The Duke of York's associations with Epstein have been under renewed focus in recent weeks. The prince, who relinquished his royal duties earlier this month, has categorically denied any wrongdoing.

"For how long have you been aware about Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein? Did you request the authorities to conceal for Andrew?"

The King remained silent but continued greeting supporters, some of whom chanted "God Save The King". One fan can be heard asking him for a hug.

A female bystander outside the cathedral was also observed telling the protester to "leave" and to "shut up".

Controversy Reignited by Memoir

The scandal over Prince Andrew's connections to Epstein has been reignited by misconduct allegations repeated in Virginia Giuffre's recently released memoir.

In the memoir, the accuser alleges she had sex with the royal on multiple times, including once with Jeffrey Epstein and "eight other young girls"

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

New Inquiries About Lifestyle and Housing

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

The disclosure that he has only ever paid a nominal fee on his Windsor mansion has heightened the scrutiny over his housing situation - even though he made large payments up front, including for improvements.

The Liberal Democrats said he should be called in before MPs to give testimony about his rental agreement of his lodge.

But last Thursday, the government declined to give parliamentarians time to debate the royal's titles or his residence, despite increasing calls for scrutiny.

Buckingham Palace has not commented on whether the Duke of York might move out of his current residence - or where he might go.

Related Topics

• The Duke of York
• UK Royal Family
• King Charles III