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In the course of a engagement to Lichfield Cathedral on the start of the week, King Charles was heckled by a protester who questioned him about Prince Andrew's connections with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

The protester asked how long the King had been aware about his brother's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, and also questioned whether he had asked the authorities to "hide" for Andrew.

Amid the protest, there were throngs of supporters and applause for the monarch, who was visiting Staffordshire for an engagement.

The Duke of York's links with Jeffrey Epstein have been under close examination in the past few weeks. The prince, who gave up his royal duties earlier this month, has strongly denied any misconduct.

"How long have you known about Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein? Have you asked the police to conceal for Andrew?"

The monarch did not respond but carried on greeting fans, some of whom shouted "Long live the King". One supporter can be heard requesting him for a hug.

Another woman outside the venue was also observed telling the heckler to "go away" and to "be quiet".

Scandal Reignited by Posthumous Publication

The controversy over Prince Andrew's connections to Epstein has been brought back into focus by misconduct claims repeated in Virginia Giuffre's recently released book.

In the memoir, the accuser says she had sex with the prince on multiple times, including once with Jeffrey Epstein and "several other minors"

Prince Andrew, who reached a out-of-court agreement with Ms Giuffre in 2022, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. In a previous interview, he told a news program he did not remember meeting Ms Giuffre "ever", and that they "did not have any sort of intimate relations."

New Inquiries About Lifestyle and Living Arrangements

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

The disclosure that he has only ever paid a nominal fee on his Royal Lodge has intensified the examination over his living arrangements - even though he made significant contributions up front, including for renovations.

The Liberal Democrats said he should be summoned before MPs to give testimony about his lease of his residence.

But last week, the government declined to give parliamentarians time to discuss the prince's titles or his residence, despite increasing calls for scrutiny.

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

Associated Issues

• Prince Andrew
• UK Royal Family
• King Charles III