Activists from the group Republic staged a protest inside the throne room of Buckingham Palace to question King Charles about Prince Andrew [1, 2].
The breach of one of the world's most secure residences highlights ongoing public scrutiny regarding the royal family's association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. By infiltrating the palace, the group aimed to force a public conversation about accountability, and transparency within the monarchy.
During the action, protesters unfurled a banner asking, “What did you know?” regarding the King's awareness of the relationship between Prince Andrew and Epstein [1, 3, 4]. The group also displayed a large image of Prince Andrew and Epstein together inside the throne room [3, 4].
The activists sought to highlight the damage the scandal has caused to the royal family's global reputation [2, 4]. The protest comes after Prince Andrew was stripped of his titles last October by his brother, the King [1].
Andrew Eborn, a UK barrister and broadcaster, said, "[The Epstein‑Andrew controversy] is going to be a long shadow over the family’s reputation and that’s difficult" [4].
Republic frequently campaigns for the abolition of the monarchy in the UK, arguing that a hereditary system is outdated. This latest event focuses specifically on the intersection of royal privilege and the failure to address allegations of serious criminal associations. The group demanded that the King provide clear answers about the extent of his knowledge concerning the Epstein links [2, 4].
““What did you know?””
The incident underscores a significant security lapse at Buckingham Palace and reflects the persistent pressure on the British monarchy to distance itself from the Epstein scandal. Because the protest occurred within the throne room—a space of immense symbolic power—it serves as a direct challenge to the King's authority and the perceived opacity of the royal household.
