The family of Virginia Giuffre, a prominent accuser of the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, has publicly appealed to Britain's King Charles III to meet with survivors of sexual abuse during his state visit to the United States later this month. In a statement provided to Reuters, Sky and Amanda Roberts emphasized that the royal trip aligns with the one-year anniversary of Giuffre's tragic death by suicide, urging the monarch to prioritize dialogue with those affected.
Timing and Urgent Appeal
King Charles and Queen Camilla are scheduled to visit the United States from April 27 to 30, 2026, a journey timed to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence. The Roberts family highlighted that this visit occurs just two days after the anniversary of Giuffre's passing, framing it as a critical opportunity for the king to engage directly with survivors. "We strongly urge King Charles to meet with us and survivors and hear what we have to say," they stated, expressing gratitude for his previous actions in addressing allegations against his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
Background on Allegations and Royal Response
Giuffre accused Jeffrey Epstein of trafficking her to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor when she was 17 years old, allegations that Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied. In 2022, he reached an out-of-court settlement with Giuffre without admitting any wrongdoing, maintaining he has no recollection of meeting her. Following renewed scrutiny over Mountbatten-Windsor's association with Epstein, King Charles took decisive steps to remove his brother from public life, stripping him of military roles, patronages, and royal titles.
Earlier this year, Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office related to allegations he passed confidential documents to Epstein, though he has denied any misconduct. Buckingham Palace has not responded to recent requests for comment, but officials have previously indicated that the king cannot become involved while investigations into Epstein and his circle remain ongoing.
Diplomatic Context and Survivor Hopes
The state visit comes at a sensitive time for British-American relations, as Britain seeks to stabilize ties with U.S. President Donald Trump amid tensions over the Iran war, adding further attention to the monarch's agenda in Washington. The Roberts family expressed hope that direct engagement with survivors could prompt the British government to take action against Epstein's co-conspirators, emphasizing the importance of dialogue in addressing systemic abuse.
Buckingham Palace has previously extended its "thoughts and utmost sympathies" to victims and survivors of abuse, but the family's appeal underscores a call for more tangible steps. As the visit approaches, the intersection of royal diplomacy and survivor advocacy highlights ongoing challenges in addressing the legacy of Epstein's crimes.
