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A American legislative committee looking into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has formally written to Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, once Britain’s Prince Andrew, asking that he undergo questioning as part of its investigation into Epstein’s illegal activities.

In a letter released on Thursday, a US representative, the senior Democrat on the House oversight panel, asked that King Charles III’s brother help with its inquiry.

The official demand to answer questions comes a week after Mountbatten Windsor was relieved of his royal title and consented to surrender his leased home in Windsor.

Documents and Allegations

Mountbatten Windsor’s name is listed in records and aviation records obtained from Epstein’s estate and publicly released by the committee. He has also been alleged by one of Epstein’s survivors, the late Virginia Giuffre, of abuse.

“The committee will examine allegations of misconduct by Mountbatten Windsor, and will demand data on Epstein’s activities, network, and accomplices based on the men’s long-term and well-documented friendship,” the committee said in a announcement.

It requested particulars from Mountbatten Windsor on particulars of his relationship with Epstein, who died by suicide in a New York jail cell in 2019. Andrew has always categorically denied any misconduct.

Substance of the Communication

“It has been publicly reported that your association with Mr Epstein began in 1999 and that you stayed connected through and after his 2008 conviction for trafficking underage girls for sex work,” the letter said.

It stated further: “It has also been reported 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 harming young girls. This strong bond with Mr Epstein, combined with the freshly uncovered 2011 digital communication in which you wrote to him ‘we are in this together’, further bolsters our belief that you may have key insights about the crimes committed by Mr Epstein and his accomplices.”

A announcement regarding the letter said it was supported by 13 other Democrats on the committee and requests a answer by 20 November.

Earlier Comments and Cooperation

The letter follows a week after another Democrat on the committee told: “Andrew should be summoned to give evidence before the panel. The public should be able to know who was harming women and young girls alongside Epstein.”

However, the representative does not hold the ability to subpoena the former prince and Congress itself cannot force statements from a foreign national.

In 2020, US authorities said that Mountbatten Windsor neglected to respond to US demands for an discussion. The then US attorney for the southern district of New York said that prosecutors and the FBI had reached out to Andrew’s attorneys to inquire on his earlier promise that he was “willing to help any relevant law enforcement agency”.

“It’s just for people to know whether Prince Andrew has followed through with that public commitment,” the attorney said, adding that to date he had “provided no cooperation”.

Demands for Transparency

The congressman said in a comment that “affluent and well-connected men have evaded the law for far too long. Now, former Prince Andrew has the opportunity to tell the truth and deliver accountability for the victims. We will not cease fighting for responsibility and openness for those affected of Epstein and his gang of partners.”

Another endorser, a Virginia Democrat, said that after listening to testimony to the committee from Epstein’s survivors, as well as public reporting of leaked documents, “it is essential that Andrew works together with the active inquiry. If he is not guilty, then he can prove his innocence.”

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

The letter came on the same day the British king publicly removed Mountbatten Windsor of his royal title. Charles III publicly made the alteration – which had been announced a week ago – by issuing a “royal decree” which the monarch’s office made public in the Gazette, the UK’s official public record.