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A American legislative panel investigating pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein has formally written to Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, previously Britain’s Prince Andrew, demanding that he submit to questioning as part of its probe into Epstein’s wrongdoings.

In a communication released on Thursday, a US representative, the leading Democrat on the House investigative committee, requested that King Charles III’s brother assist with its probe.

The written appeal to answer questions follows a week after Mountbatten Windsor was stripped of his royal title and consented to vacate his property in Windsor.

Documents and Allegations

Mountbatten Windsor’s name appears in documents and aviation records secured from Epstein’s estate and publicly released by the committee. He has also been alleged by one of Epstein’s victims, the late Virginia Giuffre, of abuse.

“The panel will investigate accusations of misconduct by Mountbatten Windsor, and will seek data on Epstein’s activities, circle, and associates based on the men’s enduring and extensively reported friendship,” the committee said in a announcement.

It sought details from Mountbatten Windsor on particulars of his association with Epstein, who took his own life in a New York jail cell in 2019. Andrew has consistently categorically denied any misconduct.

Details of the Letter

“It has been documented that your relationship with Mr Epstein began in 1999 and that you remained close through and after his 2008 conviction for procuring minors for prostitution,” the letter said.

It continued: “It has also been alleged that you went with Epstein to his New York home, the Queen’s residence at Balmoral, and to Mr Epstein’s personal island in the US Virgin Islands, where you have been accused of assaulting underage individuals. This close relationship with Mr Epstein, combined with the freshly uncovered 2011 email exchange in which you wrote to him ‘we are in this together’, further bolsters our belief that you may have important details about the wrongdoings committed by Mr Epstein and his co-conspirators.”

A notification regarding the letter said it was supported by 13 other Democrats on the committee and asks a reply by 20 November.

Past Statements and Collaboration

The letter comes a week after another Democrat on the committee told: “Andrew should be asked to appear before the oversight committee. The people should be able to know who was assaulting women and underage individuals alongside Epstein.”

However, the representative does not have the power to legally require the ex-royal and Congress itself cannot compel testimony from a foreign national.

In 2020, US agencies said that Mountbatten Windsor failed to reply to US demands for an interview. The then US attorney for the southern district of New York said that prosecutors and the FBI had contacted Andrew’s legal team to inquire on his public commitment that he was “willing to help any relevant law enforcement agency”.

“It’s reasonable for people to know whether Prince Andrew has honored with that pledge,” the attorney said, adding that to date he had “given no cooperation”.

Calls for Accountability

The congressman said in a statement that “wealthy and powerful men have escaped accountability for far too long. Now, former Prince Andrew has the option to come clean and deliver accountability for the affected individuals. We will not cease fighting for accountability and clarity for those affected of Epstein and his network of partners.”

Another signatory, a Virginia Democrat, said that after receiving evidence to the committee from Epstein’s survivors, as well as public reporting of disclosed papers, “it is crucial that Andrew works together with the current inquiry. If he is not guilty, then he can clear his name.”

The lawmaker stated further: “And if not, our investigation will reveal that, and the survivors will receive much-delayed justice. The Royal Family’s actions taking away Andrew of his titles show there is additional to this case.”

The letter was sent on the same day the British king publicly stripped Mountbatten Windsor of his HRH style. Charles III publicly made the alteration – which had been revealed a week ago – by issuing a “royal decree” which the royal office released in the Gazette, the UK’s official public record.