Josie Ensor, Chief US Reporter, and Kate Mansey, Assistant Editor
Apr 28, 2026
An empty chair ‘reserved for Charles’ will be placed outside the White House after he and Camilla said they were unable to meet abused women
Victims of Jeffrey Epstein plan to protest outside the White House during the King and Queen’s visit on Tuesday.
Survivors of Epstein’s sex-trafficking ring are expected to demonstrate in Washington DC after the royals declined their invitation to meet them.
Some said they planned to dress up in “fancy clothes” and hold a mock “high tea party”, as the royals attend a banquet with President Trump and his wife Melania.
Rina Oh, who was assaulted by Epstein when she was a 21-year-old art student in New York, said she was planning a “performance arts piece” outside the White House, setting up an empty chair with a sign reading “reserved for King Charles”.
Rina Oh, who was assaulted by Epstein when she was a 21-year-old art student in New York, said she was planning a “performance arts piece” outside the White House, setting up an empty chair with a sign reading “reserved for King Charles”.
Oh said she wanted “a few minutes of his time to hear what he has to say and ask for more action”.
In a statement in October, when Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was stripped of his royal titles over his association with the late sex offender, the King said that his and the Queen’s “thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse”.
Ro Khanna, the Democratic congressman, had asked Buckingham Palace to arrange a private audience between the monarch and victims of Epstein during the state visit.
The King and Queen’s position has remained that they would not be able to meet survivors due to ongoing British police investigations into matters related to Epstein.
Andrew was arrested by Thames Valley police in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
A Palace spokesman said: “We fully understand and appreciate the survivors’ and their advocates’ position.
“But can only reiterate that anything arising from such a meeting that could potentially impact on ongoing police inquiries and assessments, and any potential legal action that could result from that, would be to the detriment of the survivors themselves in their pursuit of justice.”
During the first day of the King and Queen’s visit to Washington, Camilla met with representatives from four child exploitation and domestic violence charities.
At a garden party hosted by the British ambassador to the US, the Queen said she wished they “had longer to talk”.
Afterwards, Sandra Jackson, the chief executive of the women’s shelter House of Ruth, praised Camila as “someone able to give notoriety to this cause”. Asked if the royals should have met survivors of Epstein, Jackson said: “I respect their decision.”
“She [the Queen] thanked us for our work and hoped progress is being made and build on progress for the future,” Jackson added.
Michelle DeLaune, the head of the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children, praised the Queen as “wonderful” for “raising awareness”.
Sky Roberts, the brother of Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s victims who took her own life last year, said he was disappointed about the King’s decision. “This isn’t about the King coming here and partying and celebrating with Trump,” he said.
“This should be about you coming here and taking a stand, to set an example for other world leaders and come forward for survivors.”
Anouska de Georgiou, a British victim of Epstein who now lives in Los Angeles, said there was “little point” in attending a protest after the King refused to meet her.
Another, who did not wish her name to be published, said: “Charles and Camilla are meeting with survivors of 9/11, why can’t they meet the survivors of the King’s brother?”
The King and Queen are expected to meet families of the terror attacks in New York, before the 25th anniversary later this year. The King is expected to meet Zohran Mamdani, New York’s mayor, at the wreath-laying ceremony.
Survivors of Epstein were in Washington DC on Saturday, April 25 for a memorial to mark the one-year anniversary of Giuffre’s death. Family and friends gathered at the National Mall, accompanied by a number of Democratic representatives, and wore butterfly pins in her honour.
Giuffre, who died by suicide at her home in Perth, Australia, had accused the King’s brother of sexually assaulting her on three occasions around the year 2001. Andrew has always denied any wrongdoing.
The King will address both chambers of Congress on April 28, making him only the second British monarch to do so after Queen Elizabeth gave a speech in 1991. After the address, the Trumps will host the royal couple at the White House for a state dinner.
The royal state visit comes at a time of strained relations between the US and UK. The president has clashed repeatedly with Sir Keir Starmer over the Trump administration’s sweeping tariffs and military operations against Iran.