As newly released U.S. government documents linked to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein continue to prompt scrutiny of his associates, pressure is growing on Britain’s Royal Family, with campaigners and commentators arguing that the fallout may extend beyond Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew.
The pressure intensified this week after anti‑monarchy campaign group Republic reported Prince William’s environmental charity, the Earthshot Prize, to the U.K.’s Charity Commission, citing concerns raised by the latest tranche of Epstein‑related documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Republic said the new disclosures have broadened scrutiny of the monarchy as an institution, and Prince William now has “lots of questions to answer.”
Graham Smith, Republic’s chief executive, told Newsweek the latest development “adds to the general smell test, further lifting the lid on a rather grubby world of rich and powerful men.”
He said: “At any other time the story may have attracted limited interest, but the shocking email sent to Sulayem and William’s own lack of action or comment on the scandal around Andrew only drags him into the mire.”
A spokesperson has however conveyed Prince William’s sympathy for the victims of Jeffrey Epstein’s network in a statement in Riyadh at the start of William’s visit to Saudi Arabia on Monday. “I can confirm The Prince and Princess of Wales have been deeply concerned by the continuing revelations,” the spokesperson said, quoted by Sky News. “Their thoughts remain focused on the victims.”
Newsweek has contacted the press offices of Kensington Palace and Buckingham Palace via email, and the Earthshot Prize via social media, for comment.
Why It Matters
For the royal family, scrutiny has largely centered on Mountbatten-Windsor, who stepped back from public duties following backlash over his association with Epstein and was later stripped of his titles by King Charles III. The latest developments mark a shift in focus, with critics arguing that the handling of the issue raises broader questions for the monarchy’s credibility and accountability.
What To Know
The latest controversy centers on Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, former chairman and chief executive of global logistics company DP World, which is listed as a founding partner of the Earthshot Prize and has donated at least £1 million to the charity, according to Republic. Bin Sulayem was replaced as CEO of DP World as he came under scrutiny over alleged links to Epstein, although no wrongdoing has been formally established.
On Monday, Kentucky Republican Representative Thomas Massie said on X that the Justice Department had identified bin Sulayem as the recipient of an April 2009 email from Epstein referencing a “torture video,” the nature and content of which are not known. The email was included in the roughly 3 million pages of material released on January 30 released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, has reignited public debate about Epstein’s relationships with prominent figures in politics, business and international affairs.
Another email sent to Epstein in 2013 names a “Sultan bin Sulayem” as the sender and reads: “By the way the Ukrainian and the Moldavian arrived. Big disappointment the Moldavian is not as attractive as the picture while the Ukrainian is very
beautiful.” Epstein replied: “Photo shop.”
Republic said the disclosure prompted it to lodge a formal complaint with the U.K.’s Charity Commission, requesting clarity on what due diligence was conducted before DP World became a partner of Earthshot. Smith said “the seriousness of this matter requires a full and comprehensive investigation.”
Earthshot’s partnership is with DP World as a company, not with its chief executive personally. William and bin Sulayem have been photographed together at official events linked to the charity. There is no suggestion that Prince William is involved in any wrongdoing because of this association.
Bin Sulayem has not commented publicly on the claims. Newsweek has contacted DP World for comment.
Scrutiny of Mountbatten‑Windsor continues, amid reports that the late Queen Elizabeth II, her husband Prince Philip and the then Prince of Wales Charles lent the then Prince Andrew a total of £12 million to fund a settlement of the 2021 lawsuit brought by Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of multiple sexual assaults, avoiding the case going to trial.
Mountbatten‑Windsor has always denied wrongdoing.
Despite the growing scrutiny, the latest YouGov royal family favorability trackers show that attitudes toward the family remain largely stable. Although, these findings were based on January 2026 sentiment, and therefore do not reflect public opinion in the wake of the recent updates.
What People Are Saying
Lewis Goodall, a reporter and presenter for The News Agents podcast, said on LBC that the family “never said why Andrew has lost his titles,” and that they seemed to be more concerned with public perception than condemning the actions of the former Prince.
Zarah Sultana, a left-wing U.K. lawmaker, wrote in a post on X: “Abolish the Monarchy.”
Mehdi Hasan, CEO of Zeteo News, wrote in a post on X: “Those of us who have always been opposed to an unelected, unaccountable, taxpayer-funded royal family in the UK can hold our heads up high.”
British journalist and author Yasmin Alibhai-Brown wrote on X: “Andrew will have his comeuppance. But the king and other Windsors have many questions to answer about why they used their cash and power to see off Virginia Giuffre.”
UK Royal Palace historian Tessa Dunlop said on Channel 4: “The sword of Damocles has hung over Andrew’s head, and therefore implicating his whole family, for so long now, it’s like this seeping sore, its like the dripping roast. And actually it’s hugely generational, and that’s where the royal family have a real problem…They’re skating on increasingly thin ice.”
What Happens Next
The Charity Commission will determine whether to take further action in response to Republic’s complaint.
“William needs to give an honest account of his relationship with Sulayem and how DP World came to be a founding partner of Earthshot,” he said. “He also needs to be clear and honest about his relationship with Earthshot, which should be independent of him.”
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.newsweek.com ’
