Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, has been summoned to appear before the United States Congress to answer questions about his connections to Jeffrey Epstein.
The summons marks a new and unprecedented turn in a scandal that has trailed the disgraced royal for years.
The letter from the Democratic members of the House Oversight Committee, delivered on Thursday, said Andrew may hold “crucial information” about Epstein’s network due to their “longstanding and well-documented friendship.”
Robert Garcia, a leading Democrat on the committee, said: “Rich and powerful men have evaded justice for far too long. Now, former Prince Andrew has the opportunity to come clean and provide justice for the survivors.”
Another member, Suhas Subramanyam, added: “If he is innocent, he can clear his name. If not, our investigation will show that, and the victims will finally receive long overdue justice. The Royal Family’s decision to strip him of his titles suggests there is more to this story.”
The 65-year-old, who has denied all allegations of wrongdoing, was formally stripped of his “Prince” title and HRH status this week by King Charles III through Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm. The Duke of York title was also removed from the Roll of Peerage.
Renewed interest in the case follows the release of Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir and unaired footage from a 2019 BBC interview, in which she alleged she was forced to have sex with Andrew at 17. Giuffre, who died in April at 41, described being “sickened” by what she said were Ghislaine Maxwell’s instructions.
While US authorities cannot compel testimony from foreign nationals abroad, legal experts note Andrew could be served a subpoena if he enters the United States.
Buckingham Palace has declined to comment on the summons.
