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 withPresident Trumpand 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”.
It was unclear how many were planning to attend, but Oh had encouraged her social media followers to join her.
“We are not looking for an apology,” said Oh. “We want them to prove they meant what they said. Show us your words were not a PR stunt and take action.”
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, whenAndrew Mountbatten-Windsorwas 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”.
