The family of Virginia Giuffre has publicly called on King Charles III to meet survivors of sexual abuse during his upcoming state visit to the United States, adding emotional weight to a trip
already under intense international scrutiny.
In a statement shared with media outlets, Giuffre’s relatives, Sky and Amanda Roberts, noted that the visit—scheduled for April 27 to 30—will take place just two days after the one-year anniversary of her death. Giuffre, one of the most prominent accusers of Jeffrey Epstein, died in 2025.
“We strongly urge King Charles to meet with us and other survivors and hear what we have to say,” the family said. They also acknowledged the monarch’s prior response to allegations involving his brother, Prince Andrew, praising what they described as decisive action in removing him from official royal duties.
Giuffre had accused Prince Andrew of sexual abuse, alleging she was trafficked to him by Epstein when she was 17. The prince has consistently denied the claims and reached an out-of-court settlement in 2022 without admitting liability, stating he had no recollection of meeting her.
Buckingham Palace has not commented on the family’s latest appeal. Officials have previously maintained that the king cannot intervene directly in matters tied to ongoing or past investigations.
A state visit under pressure
King Charles’ trip to the United States—his first official visit since ascending the throne—comes at a diplomatically sensitive moment. The visit is intended to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence and reinforce the longstanding “special relationship” between the United Kingdom and the United States.
The monarch is expected to meet Donald Trump in Washington, with discussions likely to touch on geopolitical tensions, including the ongoing conflict involving Iran, as well as trade and security cooperation.
However, the renewed spotlight on Prince Andrew’s past ties to Epstein threatens to overshadow the visit. In recent years, King Charles has taken steps to distance the monarchy from the controversy, stripping his brother of military roles, royal patronages, and the use of official titles in public life.
Calls for accountability
Giuffre’s family says the king now has an opportunity to go further by engaging directly with survivors. They argue that such a meeting could help drive meaningful action against individuals connected to Epstein’s network.
“We hope this visit can be more than symbolic,” the family said, emphasizing the need for dialogue between survivors, their families, and institutions of power.
Buckingham Palace has previously expressed “utmost sympathies” for victims of abuse, but has stopped short of committing to direct engagement during royal visits.
As King Charles prepares for a high-profile diplomatic mission, the appeal from Giuffre’s family underscores the enduring impact of the Epstein scandal—and the growing expectation that global leaders address not only political alliances, but also demands for justice and accountability. Photo by Dan Marsh, Wikimedia commons.
