As King Charles III and Queen Camilla received a ceremonial welcome at the White House on Tuesday, a different kind of gathering was unfolding just miles away on Capitol Hill — one marked not by pageantry, but by protest and persistence.
Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse, alongside their families and advocates, assembled to demand accountability and recognition. Their presence served as a stark counterpoint to the royal visit, highlighting an issue they say remains unresolved at the highest levels of power in both the United States and the United Kingdom.
Among those who spoke was Sky Roberts, brother of the late Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s most prominent accusers. Giuffre had alleged sexual abuse involving Prince Andrew — claims he has consistently denied — and died by suicide a year ago.
“Survivors are still fighting to be heard,” Roberts said. “Many powerful figures connected to these systems remain out of reach, unwilling to face victims directly.”
The group’s message extended beyond the British monarchy. Roberts also criticised U.S. leadership, expressing frustration at what he described as a lack of urgency and empathy toward survivors.
The demonstration comes amid renewed attention on Epstein’s network, following the release of millions of documents by the U.S. Justice Department. Yet, despite the scale of the revelations, only one person — Epstein’s associate Ghislaine Maxwell — has been convicted in connection with the trafficking operation.
Efforts to bring the issue into the spotlight during the royal visit have faced resistance. U.S. Congressman Ro Khanna had earlier requested a meeting between the King and Epstein survivors, but the proposal was declined. Buckingham Palace has maintained a cautious stance, mindful of ongoing legal sensitivities surrounding Prince Andrew.
As constitutional monarch, King Charles is expected to remain politically neutral, particularly in matters that could intersect with judicial proceedings. Even so, his speech to Congress included a subtle reference to victims of societal harm, which some interpreted as a quiet acknowledgment.
“In both our countries… we must support victims of the ills that exist in our societies,” the King said, without directly mentioning Epstein.
Meanwhile, Queen Camilla is scheduled to meet with organisations focused on combating domestic violence during the visit — a cause she has long championed.
Still, for many survivors, symbolic gestures are not enough. Advocacy groups continue to push for deeper investigations, broader accountability, and full transparency — particularly in the United States, where critics argue justice has been incomplete.
As global leaders gather and diplomatic ties are reinforced, survivors say their fight remains unchanged: to ensure that power does not shield wrongdoing, and that their voices are no longer ignored.
