Did Donald Trump and Andrew know each other?
Donald Trump said he feels “badly” for the royal family amid the fallout over Andrew’s connections to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Trump, who has also faced pressure over his own ties to Epstein, told reporters on Sunday: “It’s a terrible thing that’s happened to the (royal) family.”
In 2019, when asked about sexual abuse allegations against Andrew, the president denied knowing him despite them having met on several occasions, including Trump’s state visit to the UK that year.
Mr Trump said: “I don’t know Prince Andrew, but it’s a tough story, it’s a very tough story.”
A photo from February 2000 shows Trump, his wife, Melania, and Andrew pictured together at the Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
Trump’s comments on Sunday come as members of a US congressional committee ramp up their calls for Andrew to answer questions over his friendship with Epstein.
trumpandrewpremium (AP)
trumpandrewpremium (Getty)
Harriette Boucher3 November 2025 09:15
Andrew to be stripped of his honorary rank of vice-admiral
Andrew Mountbatten Windsor will be stripped of his honorary rank of vice-admiral, the Defence Secretary has said.
Andrew was made a vice-admiral on his 55th birthday in 2015 and retained the rank after giving up his other military positions in 2022.
John Healey told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: “In general, the Government’s been guided by the decisions and judgments the King has made.
“In defence, it’s exactly the same. And we’ve seen Andrew surrender the honorary positions he’s had throughout the military, and guided again by the King, we are working now to remove that last remaining title of vice-admiral that he has.”
Asked whether Andrew could lose his military medals as well, Mr Healey said they were “medals for his service”, and added: “I don’t have an update for you on that, but just as with his vice-admiral rank and title, we would be guided by the decisions the King makes.”
Harriette Boucher3 November 2025 08:55
Watch: Trump says Prince Andrew being stripped of titles is ‘tragic situation’Trump says Prince Andrew being stripped of titles is ‘tragic situation’
Harriette Boucher3 November 2025 08:22
Trump feels ‘badly’ for royal family over Andrew saga
Donald Trump said he feels “badly” for the royal family amid the continuing fallout over Andrew Mountbatten Windsor’s connections with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Speaking to reporters on board Air Force One late on Sunday, the US president was asked about the King’s decision to strip his brother of his peerages and the title of prince.
“It’s a terrible thing that’s happened to the (royal) family,” Mr Trump said.
“That’s been a tragic situation. It’s too bad. I feel badly for the family.”
The former prince denies sexually assaulting the late Virginia Giuffre, who alleged this happened on three occasions, including when she was 17, after being trafficked by Epstein.
Mr Trump also had connections with Epstein, which British political campaign group Led By Donkeys examined in a film projected on to Windsor Castle ahead of his state visit in September.
The nine-minute film went over the history of Mr Trump’s links to the convicted sex offender, including the release by US legislators of documents said to include a letter from Mr Trump to Epstein to celebrate his 50th birthday.
The film was projected from a hotel room with a direct view over the castle as an act of “peaceful protest,” a spokesman for the campaign group said in September.
Four men arrested over the incident were released without charge.
US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters on board Air Force One (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP) (AP)
Tom Barnes3 November 2025 07:34
Why Gen Z isn’t buying Andrew’s royal exile – and it could mean a way back for Harry
King Charles’s move to strip Prince Andrew of his titles was meant to restore faith in the monarchy, but for younger generations, steeped in the Epstein era, the gesture feels too little, too late and far from authentic, writes Chloe Combi.
So, where does the royal family go from here?
Rebecca Whittaker3 November 2025 07:00
Watch: Question Time filming halted and audience burst into applause as Andrew news breaksQuestion Time filming halted and audience burst into applause as Andrew news breaks
Rebecca Whittaker3 November 2025 06:00
What next for Beatrice and Eugenie and their grace and favour lifestyle?
Beatrice likes to talk about AI in Saudi Arabia and Eugenie deals in art – both have rich husbands with good prospects, so why do they both reside in grace-and-favour Crown Estate properties?
It might not be long before more questions are asked about the sisters who get to retain their HRH titles without being working royals, writes Tessa Dunlop.
What next for Beatrice and Eugenie and their grace and favour life-style?
Beatrice likes to talk about AI in Saudi Arabia and Eugenie deals in art – both have rich husbands with good prospects, so why do they both reside in grace-and-favour Crown Estate properties? It might not be long before more questions are asked about the sisters who get to retain their HRH titles without being working royals, writes Tessa Dunlop.
Rebecca Whittaker3 November 2025 05:00
Recap: Jeremy Vine suggests Andrew could end up in a US jail
The broadcaster told the BBC that the King’s brother – who denies the allegations against him – no longer had anyone protecting him.
He said Andrew had been “buried alive” and he was “amazed” at the plans to take his last military honour away from him.
“But I wonder whether the Americans will think, ‘okay, we can now go for him’. I would reckon in the next five years he’ll be in an American jail.”
He added: “I think they’ll start some extradition proceedings on him. Because now he has no protection… That must be a signal to the FBI and others that they can now look into him properly.”
Rebecca Whittaker3 November 2025 04:00
Watch: Andrew will be stripped of remaining naval rank, Healey confirmsAndrew will be stripped of remaining naval rank, Healey confirms
Rebecca Whittaker3 November 2025 03:00
Where is Sandringham? And who has lived there?
Andrew Mountbatten Windsor has agreed to leave the Royal Lodge and move to Sandringham ‘as soon as practicable’
Sandringham is the private home of the last six British monarchs, sits amid parkland, gardens and working farms about 110 miles (180 kilometers) north of London. It has been owned by the royal family since 1862, passing directly from one monarch to the next for more than 160 years.
(PA Graphics) (PA Graphics)
It was recorded in the Domesday Book, the survey of lands in England compiled by William the Conqueror in 1086, as “Sant Dersingham,” or the sandy part of Dersingham. That was shortened to Sandringham in later years.
Queen Victoria bought Sandringham for her eldest son, Edward, in 1862, largely in hopes that becoming a country gentleman would keep the playboy prince out of trouble in the nightspots of London, Paris, Monte Carlo and Biarritz. The future Edward VII transformed the estate into a modern country retreat to be passed on from one generation to the next.
The monarchs since have inherited it — and loved it. Charles was a fan from a young boy, joining shooting parties in the 1950s, with one photograph catching him blowing a miniature hunting trumpet while sitting on horseback.
Rebecca Whittaker3 November 2025 02:00