King Charles was confronted with pointed questions about his brother Prince Andrew during a public visit to Lichfield Cathedral in Staffordshire on Monday, as speculation intensifies over the disgraced royal’s future living arrangements.
During the royal outing, a man shouted at the monarch: “How long have you known about Andrew and Epstein? Have you asked the police to cover up for Andrew? Should MPs be allowed to debate the royals in the House of Commons?”
The 76-year-old King did not respond, but others in the crowd swiftly told the heckler to “shut up”. Video of the exchange was later shared by Republic, the anti-monarchy campaign group, whose chief executive Graham Smith confirmed the man was “one of our own members but doing their own thing, which we fully support”.
“The royals need to be challenged,” Smith said. “If the politicians won’t do the job and the police won’t investigate, then more and more members of the public will be asking tough questions. We want to see broadcasters invite Charles into a studio and ask him the same questions.”
The outburst comes amid renewed public debate over Prince Andrew’s position within the royal family, following his announcement last week that he would no longer use his Duke of York title. The decision, made on October 27, has done little to quell anger over his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Behind palace gates, attention has turned to where Andrew will live next. The 65-year-old royal has resided at the 30-bedroom Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park since 2003, sharing the property with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson. Despite holding a Crown Estate lease until 2078, mounting pressure has reportedly prompted discussions about moving him out.
Sources suggest that talks are underway between the King’s advisers and Andrew’s team to find alternative arrangements. One option under consideration is Frogmore Cottage, the former Windsor residence of Prince Harry and Meghan, which has stood empty since the couple relocated to the United States. The property, refurbished by the Sussexes, was previously offered to Andrew.
Ferguson, meanwhile, could relocate to Adelaide Cottage, close to the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children. The Wales family are expected to move to the larger Forest Lodge within days.
However, both Frogmore and Adelaide cottages fall under the Crown Estate, with estimated rents of around £15,000 (AUD $30,000) per month, raising questions about how Andrew or Ferguson would afford such payments.
A source close to Ferguson said neither she nor Andrew had made any demands, though reports suggest the prince is now in “advanced talks” to vacate Royal Lodge.
Last week, it was also revealed that Andrew has been paying only “peppercorn rent” on the property for the past two decades, a detail likely to inflame further public scrutiny of the royal’s privilege amid calls for greater transparency.
Image: The Today show
