The Epstein scandal has shaken both the government and the royal family in Great Britain.
Feb 9, 2026, 3:57 p.mFeb 9, 2026, 3:57 p.m
The office of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who appointed an Epstein confidant as ambassador to the USA, is now hanging by a thread. For the royals, the involvement of King Charles III’s younger brother, ex-Prince Andrew, in the abuse scandal is becoming increasingly unpleasant.
The Labor politician Starmer wanted to contact his group on Monday evening and ask for support. The resignation of his closest confidant in the government, chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, was followed on Monday by that of communications chief Tim Allan. British media speculated that the prime minister, who has been hit by poor poll numbers and failed reform projects, could soon be forced to resign himself.
The scandal continues to make headlines in the USA too. Epstein aide Ghislaine Maxwell was expected to testify in the US Parliament in Washington on Monday. However, it is expected that she will exercise her right to refuse to testify. Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison for her role in the abuse scandal.
The US multimillionaire Epstein, who died in 2019, had operated an abuse ring for years, to which dozens of young women and girls fell victim. At the same time, he maintained close contacts with the highest circles in politics, business and science.
Mandelson plunges Starmer into crisis
The precarious situation in which Great Britain’s Prime Minister Starmer now finds himself is thanks to the Labor veteran and former economics minister Peter Mandelson, whom he appointed ambassador to Washington shortly after US President Donald Trump took office.
Peter Mandelson (l.) was appointed ambassador to Washington by Keir Starmer. (archive image)Image: keystone
Mandelson had close ties to Epstein, according to files recently released by the US Department of Justice. Starmer was aware that Mandelson had maintained contact even after Epstein’s conviction for prostitution of a minor, as he recently had to admit.
During his time as economics minister under former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Mandelson is said to have even revealed market-relevant information to US investors in the middle of the financial crisis. The police are already investigating the matter.
Despite the great pressure, the British Prime Minister is currently not thinking of withdrawing, his spokesman suggested. Starmer is confident that he has the support of his party. “The Prime Minister is concentrating on his job. He continues his work to create change across the country.”
Problematic information about ex-Prince Andrew
But it’s not just behind the famous black door of the government headquarters at 10 Downing Street that there are likely to be heated conversations and worried faces these days. The Epstein scandal doesn’t stop at Buckingham Palace either. The Epstein files brought to light further problematic information about King Charles’ younger brother, ex-Prince Andrew.
Because of his close ties to Epstein and allegations of abuse by one of the victims, he had over time lost his role as an official representative of the royal family as well as all honors, military ranks and titles.
Andrew always denied the allegations, but Charles recently even stripped him of the title “Prince” he acquired at birth. His name is now just Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. He also had to move out of the luxurious Royal Lodge property on the grounds of Windsor Castle.
British media have now discovered emails in the Epstein files that suggest that Andrew may have passed confidential documents to Epstein in his previous role as a trade representative. These include reports of official visits to Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore. It was initially unclear whether Andrew could have committed a criminal offense. The Thames Valley Police, which is responsible for his former home in Windsor, said it was investigating the allegations, according to the British news agency PA.
Disturbing shouts during King Charles’s appearances
The other royals can hardly escape the pull of the scandal. When Charles visited the northwestern English county of Lancashire on Monday, a man called out to him: “How long did you know about Andrew?” It was the king’s second public appearance that was disrupted by a heckler on the subject.
Prince William and Princess Kate took a public stance on the matter for the first time. “I can confirm that the prince and princess are deeply concerned by the ongoing revelations,” a Kensington Palace spokesman said, according to multiple media reports. “Your thoughts continue to be with the victims,” it continues. (hkl/sda/dpa)