Once a royal, now a lightning rod, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor—formerly Prince Andrew—finds himself in the crosshairs of a U.S. congressional probe into the sordid legacy of Jeffrey Epstein. The pressure is mounting for him to step up and spill what he knows about his old pal, a convicted predator. And let’s be honest, dodging accountability isn’t exactly a good look for anyone, titled or not.

The crux of this mess is simple: a U.S. House Oversight Committee wants Andrew to sit for a detailed interview about his well-documented ties to Epstein, while Britain’s own Prime Minister Keir Starmer has nudged him to cooperate, and yet, Andrew remains stubbornly silent.

This saga kicked off with Andrew’s long-standing friendship with Epstein, a connection that’s raised eyebrows for years. Now, the U.S. committee has formally requested a transcribed chat to unpack what exactly went on. So far, Andrew’s response has been a deafening nothing.

Pressure Builds on Andrew to Testify

Enter Britain’s top official, Keir Starmer, who was pressed on the matter but sidestepped any direct jab at Andrew. He did, however, lay down a principle that sounds like common sense: if you’ve got info on cases like this, you ought to share it. It’s hard to argue with that, unless, of course, you’re hiding something.

Starmer’s exact words were careful but pointed. “I don’t comment on his particular case. But as a general principle I’ve held for a very long time is that anybody who has got relevant information in relation to these kind of cases should give that evidence to those that need it,” he said, per AP reports.

That’s a polite way of saying, “Come on, mate, do the right thing.” But in a world obsessed with shielding the elite, will such gentle prodding even register? One wonders if Starmer’s words are more for public optics than real pressure.

U.S. Lawmakers Demand Accountability Now

Across the pond, U.S. Representatives Robert Garcia and Suhas Subramanyam, both Democrats from California and Virginia respectively, aren’t mincing words. They’ve publicly accused Andrew of ducking serious questions, essentially playing hide-and-seek with the truth. It’s a bold stance, and frankly, one that resonates with anyone tired of powerful folks skating by.

Garcia and Subramanyam doubled down in a joint statement last Friday, vowing to push forward no matter what. “Our work will move forward with or without him, and we will hold anyone who was involved in these crimes accountable, no matter their wealth, status or political party. We will get justice for the survivors,” they declared, as reported by AP.

That’s a refreshing promise in an era where justice often seems reserved for the little guy. But let’s not kid ourselves—holding the well-connected accountable is a Herculean task, and skepticism about follow-through is warranted. Still, credit where it’s due for at least sounding the alarm.

Royal Family Cuts Ties Amid Scandal

Meanwhile, the royal family has tried to wash its hands of this mess by stripping Andrew of his titles and honors just last month. It’s a clear move to distance themselves from the Epstein stink that clings to him. But does a title purge really erase decades of questionable associations?

Critics might argue this is too little, too late, especially when Andrew continues to ignore requests for cooperation. If the royals truly wanted to show integrity, they’d be the ones dragging him to the table, not waiting for U.S. lawmakers to do the heavy lifting.

Let’s not forget the survivors of Epstein’s crimes, who deserve answers more than anyone. The longer Andrew stays silent, the more it feels like a slap in their face. Justice delayed is justice denied, as the old saying goes.

Will Andrew Ever Speak Up?

So where does this leave us? Andrew’s refusal to engage with the U.S. committee isn’t just a personal choice—it’s a signal that some still believe status buys silence. That’s a notion conservatives and everyday folks alike should reject outright.

The ball is in Andrew’s court, but the clock is ticking. If he thinks ignoring this will make it disappear, he’s sorely mistaken—Epstein’s shadow isn’t going anywhere. And neither, it seems, are the lawmakers determined to shine a light on it.

At the end of the day, this isn’t about politics or party lines; it’s about accountability and doing right by those who’ve suffered. If Andrew has nothing to hide, then sitting down for an interview shouldn’t be a problem. Until he does, the court of public opinion will keep rendering its own verdict, and it won’t be kind.