Prince Edward speaks out about Epstein files

Prince Edward is addressing the Jeffrey Epstein files, marking the first time a member of the British royal family has spoken out about the U.S. Justice Department's latest release.

Speaking with CNN's Eleni Giokos at the World Governments Summit in Dubai on Feb. 3, the Duke of Edinburgh, who is King Charles III's youngest sibling, said, "Well, with the best will in the world, I'm not sure this is the audience that is the least bit interested in that."

He continued, "They all came here to listen to education, solving the future, but no, I think it's all really important, always, to remember the victims and who are the victims in all this."

The statement echoes previous messaging from King Charles and Queen Camilla.

In new files released by the U.S. Department of Justice in relation to the investigation of convicted sex offender and accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, Edward's older brother Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, is seen kneeling on all fours over an unidentified woman on the ground.

Emails among the 3 million pages of newly released materials showed Mountbatten Windsor allegedly maintained regular contact with disgraced financier Epstein for more than two years after he was found guilty of sex crimes.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called for Mountbatten Windsor to testify before a U.S. congressional committee following new revelations about his links to Epstein.

Despite "vigorously" denying allegations of sexual abuse in connection with Epstein – which include the late Virginia Giuffre's claims that Epstein had trafficked her to Mountbatten Windsor and the royal family member raped her when she was underage – Mountbatten Windsor renounced his royal titles in October.

Contributing: Paul Sandle and Elizabeth Piper, Reuters; Kathryn Palmer and Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY

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