King Charles III was heckled during a public walkabout in Clitheroe, Lancashire, on Monday, February 9, after a member of the crowd shouted a question referencing his brother, Prince Andrew, and the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The 77-year-old monarch had just arrived at the town’s train station and was greeting well-wishers when a man called out, asking how long the King had known about Andrew and Epstein.
Witnesses said most of the crowd, many waving Union flags, reacted by booing the heckler and shouting for him to be quiet. King Charles continued greeting members of the public and did not respond to the comment.
The incident occurred less than a week after a similar disruption during a visit to Essex, where a 73-year-old man shouted questions about whether the King had influenced police investigations involving his brother. On that occasion, police escorted the man away from the crowd.
In Clitheroe, residents said the heckler was pulled away by another member of the public before leaving the area. Videos shared online showed people shouting “shut up” and “kick him out,” followed by cheers once the disturbance ended.
The renewed attention comes amid fresh media reports about Prince Andrew’s past association with Epstein, who died in custody in 2019. Prince Andrew has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
Despite the disruption, the King’s visit continued as planned. He met farmers, local business owners and schoolchildren, and was welcomed by the Lord-Lieutenant of Lancashire before greeting members of the public outside the station.
One local resident, 66-year-old Christine Dilworth, presented the King with daffodils and voiced her support for the Royal Family, praising their service and contribution to the country. She also criticised the disruption, saying such incidents spoil the occasion for others.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the episode. Prince Andrew was stripped of his military titles and royal patronages in 2022 following civil legal proceedings in the United States and has not carried out public royal duties since.
The visit marked King Charles’s second official trip to Lancashire since ascending the throne.
