King Charles III will not meet with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein during his high-profile state visit to the United States in late April, despite formal requests from prominent American lawmakers.
Buckingham Palace officials confirmed that ongoing U.K. law enforcement investigations into the Epstein network have made such a meeting legally impossible. Sources familiar with the matter indicate that royal aides fear any interaction with survivors could “prejudice” active police inquiries or future legal proceedings in the United Kingdom.
The decision follows a public push by Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), author of the Epstein Files Transparency Act. In an open letter to the King, Khanna urged a private meeting between the monarch and survivors of Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell to address how “powerful individuals and institutions” failed them.
“Survivors want this meeting,” Khanna wrote, citing the “renewed scrutiny” of British institutions tied to the sex-trafficker’s network.
However, the Palace remains firm. Investigative protocols require the monarch to avoid any actions that could be construed as interference in criminal matters. This is particularly sensitive following the February 2026 arrest of the King’s brother, the former Prince Andrew, whose ties to Epstein continue to shadow the House of Windsor.
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The King’s first U.S. state visit since ascending the throne comes at a period of unprecedented internal turmoil. In October 2025, Charles moved to strip Andrew of his remaining royal titles and honors. By February 9, 2026, the Palace issued a rare statement addressing Andrew’s “conduct,” signaling a total severance from the former prince’s legal defense.
While the King and Queen Camilla have expressed “profound concern” and “utmost sympathies” for Epstein’s victims, they have pivoted to a policy of total cooperation with authorities over personal diplomacy.
“While the specific claims in question are for Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor to address, if we are approached by Thames Valley Police, we stand ready to support them,” a Palace spokesperson stated earlier this year.
The upcoming visit, confirmed on March 31, is expected to include a joint session of Congress, where the King will likely focus on climate change and the “Special Relationship.”
By sidestepping the Epstein controversy, the Palace aims to maintain the visit’s focus on international diplomacy rather than the domestic legal scandals currently embroiling the royal family. For survivors and their advocates in Washington, however, the refusal marks a missed opportunity for “transparency and accountability” on the global stage.
