A prominent U.S. lawmaker is urging King Charles III to meet privately with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking network during the British monarch's anticipated visit to the United States later this month. Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna of California, who co-sponsored legislation last year that forced the release of thousands of pages of Epstein-related documents by the U.S. Department of Justice, penned a letter to the king on Monday calling for the meeting to allow victims to share their experiences directly.
The proposed royal visit, while not yet officially confirmed by Buckingham Palace, is reportedly scheduled for the end of April. According to U.S. media reports, King Charles and Queen Camilla plan to travel to Washington, D.C., where they are expected to meet with President Donald Trump and possibly address a joint session of Congress. The trip would precede the 250th anniversary celebrations of the U.S. Declaration of Independence in July 2026, marking a significant diplomatic engagement between the two nations.
In his letter, Khanna emphasized the international dimensions of Epstein's crimes, noting the convicted sex offender's deep connections to the United Kingdom. "As you are aware, this is not solely an American matter," Khanna wrote. He highlighted Epstein's ties through Ghislaine Maxwell, his longtime associate and co-conspirator who was convicted in 2021 of sex trafficking and is serving a 20-year prison sentence in the U.S., as well as Epstein's relationships with British public figures and elite social circles.
Khanna argued that these links "raise broader questions about how Epstein was able to maintain influence, credibility, and protection across borders for so long." He specifically called on the king to hear from survivors about "how powerful individuals and institutions failed them." The congressman, whose district includes parts of Silicon Valley, has been vocal in pushing for transparency in the Epstein case, including efforts to subpoena witnesses with alleged connections to the financier.
Buckingham Palace has not immediately responded to requests for comment on Khanna's letter or the proposed meetings. However, the palace has previously stated that the king's "sympathies have been, and remain with, the victims of any and all forms of abuse." This position was reiterated in responses to earlier inquiries about the Epstein scandal's impact on the British royal family.
The call for a meeting comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Prince Andrew, the king's younger brother, whose associations with Epstein have drawn intense criticism. Prince Andrew, once the Duke of York, was stripped of his military titles and royal patronages in January 2022 following allegations of sexual misconduct linked to Epstein. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing, stating that his friendship with Epstein was a mistake but involved no illicit activity.
U.S. lawmakers, including members of Congress, have sought testimony from Prince Andrew regarding his ties to Epstein. According to reports, these requests stem from the released Epstein files, which include photographs of the prince with Epstein and another image showing Andrew kneeling over a woman whose face is redacted, lying on the floor. Despite these efforts, Prince Andrew, who resides in the UK, cannot be compelled to appear in the U.S. under subpoena and has not responded to the congressional invitations.
The Epstein documents, declassified in phases starting last year under the law co-sponsored by Khanna, have revealed a web of high-profile connections spanning continents. Epstein, who died by suicide in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges, cultivated relationships with politicians, celebrities, and royals. His 2008 plea deal in Florida, which allowed him to serve just 13 months in a county jail with work release privileges, has been widely criticized as overly lenient and emblematic of protections afforded to the powerful.
In the UK context, Epstein's network intersected with British society through Maxwell, who was raised in Oxfordshire and moved in aristocratic circles, and through figures like Peter Mandelson, the former UK ambassador to the U.S. and a Labour Party peer. Lawmakers have also requested Mandelson's testimony about his own interactions with Epstein, though details of his response remain unclear.
Prince Andrew's troubles escalated in 2022 when he reached an out-of-court settlement with Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein's most prominent accusers. Giuffre alleged that she was sexually abused by Andrew at age 17, as part of Epstein's trafficking scheme. The settlement, reportedly worth millions of pounds, included no admission of liability from the prince, who has maintained his innocence throughout.
More recently, in the past month, King Charles expressed the royal family's readiness to cooperate with law enforcement. Following Prince Andrew's arrest and subsequent release on suspicion of misconduct in public office, the king said the family was "ready to support" police inquiries. The investigation relates to Andrew's tenure as the UK's special trade representative from 2001 to 2011, during which allegations surfaced that he shared official documents with Epstein.
These developments have strained relations within the royal family, with reports describing a "personal battle" between the king and his brother. Prince Andrew has retreated from public life, residing at the Royal Lodge in Windsor, while King Charles has focused on modernizing the monarchy amid various challenges, including health concerns and public relations issues.
Khanna's initiative reflects broader calls in the U.S. for accountability in the Epstein saga, which has implicated figures across political and social spectrums. Advocacy groups representing survivors have welcomed the congressman's letter, viewing it as a step toward global recognition of the victims' trauma. One such group, the Epstein Victims' Compensation Program, has distributed over $120 million to more than 130 claimants since its establishment in 2020.
As preparations for the potential royal visit continue, the focus on Epstein's legacy underscores the enduring questions about power, privilege, and justice. Whether King Charles will accede to the request for private meetings remains uncertain, but the letter has reignited discussions on both sides of the Atlantic about the need for institutional reforms to prevent similar abuses.
Looking ahead, the April trip—if it proceeds—could serve as a platform for diplomatic goodwill, but it also highlights the complexities of transatlantic relations in the shadow of historical scandals. U.S. officials have emphasized the visit's role in strengthening alliances ahead of major commemorations, while British commentators note the monarchy's efforts to distance itself from past controversies.