King Charles was heckled during his visit to Lichfield Cathedral this morning, with a lone protester confronting him about his disgraced brother, Prince Andrew. The monarch’s pre-publicised visit saw him greeted by hundreds of flag-waving well-wishers, but not everyone in the crowd was happy to see him.
One protester shouted: “How long have you known about Andrew and Epstein?” But the patriotic crowd drowned him out, as they cheered and repeatedly chanted: “God Save the King!” Eyewitnesses said the King took no notice of the lone protestor, and the huge crowd was overwhelmingly supportive of their royal visitor.
It comes after the 65-year-old has been embroiled in numerous scandals over the past few weeks in relation to his association with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. With a drip-drip of new allegations emerging, which brought into doubt Andrew’s version of events, the King’s brother agreed to relinquish use of his Duke of York title and remaining royal honours.
But as new details continue to emerge, pressure is mounting on the King to take further action – including formally stripping him of his dukedom via legislation and kicking him out of his 30-room mansion, Royal Lodge, after it emerged he hasn’t paid rent for over two decades.
As he left the Cathedral, he was greeted by huge cheers and loud shouts of “God Save the King”. Waving to those gathered, he went on a short walkabout, shaking the hands of those who stood outside, hoping to catch a glimpse of him.
But one man, who filmed his outburst and posted it on social media, yelled: “How long have you known about Andrew and Epstein? Have you asked the police to cover up for Andrew, Charles? Should MPs be allowed to debate the royals in the House of Commons?”
One woman turns to him, with her fist raised, and told him to: “Shut up.”