International Desk:
WASHINGTON, November 3, 2025 — United States President Donald Trump on Sunday expressed sympathy for the British royal family after King Charles III formally revoked his brother Prince Andrew’s royal title and remaining honours due to the latter’s association with the late American financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Speaking aboard Air Force One, President Trump described the situation as “terrible” and “tragic,” saying he felt “very badly for the family.” His comments came in response to a question from an AFP correspondent regarding the fallout from the British monarch’s recent decision. “It’s a terrible thing that’s happened to the family,” Trump said. “That’s been a tragic situation, and it’s too bad. I mean, I feel badly for the family.”
King Charles’s decision, announced last Thursday, removed Andrew’s last remaining royal and military distinctions. The former prince, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was also stripped of his honorary title of vice-admiral, his final ceremonial military post. British Defence Minister John Healey confirmed on Sunday that the government was proceeding to revoke the title, noting that the move was made “guided again by the king.”
The decision follows years of public controversy surrounding Andrew’s ties to Epstein, who was found dead in his New York prison cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on charges of sex trafficking involving minors. Authorities ruled Epstein’s death a suicide, though it continues to fuel widespread conspiracy theories in both the United States and the United Kingdom.
Andrew’s alleged involvement with Epstein drew international scrutiny after Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s principal accusers, filed a lawsuit against the prince in 2021. Giuffre alleged that she had been trafficked by Epstein to have sex with Andrew on multiple occasions, including when she was 17. The prince has consistently denied the allegations. In 2022, Queen Elizabeth II, then the reigning monarch, had already stripped Andrew of his earlier honorary military titles and public duties as part of the fallout from the lawsuit.
King Charles’s latest action, which included evicting his brother from his Windsor estate residence, marks a decisive effort to distance the royal institution from the lingering scandal. Buckingham Palace has not issued additional comments beyond confirming the formal revocation of Andrew’s remaining honours.
President Trump’s remarks come amid renewed media focus on his own historical connection to Epstein. The two men were acquaintances in New York social circles during the 1990s and early 2000s, though Trump has repeatedly denied any involvement in Epstein’s criminal activities. In July 2025, the Trump administration stated that a review of government-held files had found no new evidence warranting the release of additional documents or the reopening of investigations related to Epstein.
During his presidency, Trump has publicly expressed admiration for the British royal family, particularly during his official state visit to the United Kingdom in September 2025, when King Charles hosted him at Windsor Castle. The visit included a state dinner, military ceremonies, and a flyover by the Royal Air Force.
The Epstein case, however, continues to resonate in political and public discourse in both nations. In the United States, speculation surrounding Epstein’s death and his alleged connections to high-profile individuals has fueled partisan debates and online conspiracy theories. Trump’s political opponents have periodically raised questions about his past association with Epstein, which he has dismissed as a “hoax” propagated by rival political factions.
Prince Andrew, 65, served in the Royal Navy for 22 years and was once regarded as a decorated military officer for his service as a helicopter pilot during the 1982 Falklands War. Following his retirement from active duty in 2001, he held several honorary military positions and represented the royal family in trade and diplomatic roles before stepping back from public life in 2019.
The revocation of Andrew’s titles signifies the royal family’s ongoing effort to maintain public trust and reinforce institutional accountability in the wake of sustained scrutiny. Analysts note that the decision underscores King Charles’s intent to streamline and modernize the monarchy’s public image, ensuring that its members adhere to higher standards of personal and ethical conduct.