Congressman Ro Khanna, a Democrat representing California's 17th congressional district, has publicly criticized King Charles III after the British monarch declined to attend a roundtable discussion with survivors of convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The meeting took place Tuesday, April 28, in Washington, D.C., during the king's official visit to the United States.
The congressman's disappointment stems from what he characterized as a broken promise regarding the monarch's willingness to engage with survivors on the critical issue of sex trafficking.
Ambassador's Assurances Unfulfilled
In a statement provided to Us Weekly on Tuesday, Khanna, 49, expressed his frustration with the situation. "It's very disappointing after the British Ambassador [Sir Christian Turner] told me that the King would talk about the survivors and sex trafficking," he stated. The roundtable proceeded without the 77-year-old monarch, who is currently visiting the United States upon invitation by President Donald Trump.
Khanna did not mince words in his assessment of the king's decision. "The King's failure to acknowledge the pain his brother had caused is a moral failure and emblematic of an elite impunity that is an ongoing affront to survivors," he added in his statement.
The reference to the king's brother concerns former Prince Andrew, who has faced allegations from Epstein survivor Virginia Guiffre. Guiffre has accused Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor of sexually assaulting her when she was a teenager. Andrew has repeatedly denied these allegations.
Survivors Seek Accountability
Among those who attended the roundtable was Sky Roberts, 36, the younger brother of Virginia Guiffre. Roberts voiced his own criticism of the monarch's absence, emphasizing the symbolic importance such a meeting would have held for survivors seeking recognition and justice.
According to reporting by The Guardian on Tuesday, Roberts stated: "Survivors are here sitting with members of Congress, still fighting to be heard, still pushing for real accountability, while many of the powerful figures connected to these systems remain just out of reach, unable to acknowledge survivors face to face. You would expect this to be a moment for the king to give a message to the world that he stands with survivors."
His comments underscore the broader frustration among survivors who continue to seek acknowledgment from powerful institutions and individuals connected to Epstein's criminal network.
Congressional Address Avoids Controversy
Earlier on Tuesday, King Charles addressed Congress without making any mention of Epstein or his brother's former relationship with the late billionaire. This omission followed the pattern established by Buckingham Palace regarding the sensitive matter.
The New York Times reported last week that a lawyer for Charles and Queen Camilla, who joins the king during this U.S. visit, stated that Charles's omission from the roundtable was due to "ongoing police inquiries" underway in the United Kingdom and that the king was "unable to meet survivors or comment directly on the matters under inquiry."
The report, published on Wednesday, April 22, stated that a letter read, "the king and queen have consistently made clear their support for all victims of abuse, wherever and however perpetrated."
Ongoing Investigation Into Prince Andrew
Jeffrey Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting his trial for child sex trafficking, remains at the center of a criminal investigation currently examining Andrew's professional activity. The investigation specifically focuses on allegations the former royal shared confidential government information with the convicted pedophile while he was in public office.
The former prince, who was stripped of his royal titles in October 2025, has repeatedly denied all allegations of misconduct. The ongoing nature of these investigations may complicate any public engagement by members of the royal family on matters related to Epstein and his victims.
Buckingham Palace has been contacted for comment regarding Congressman Khanna's statements and the decision to decline the roundtable invitation.
The controversy highlights the ongoing tension between institutional protocols and the demands of survivors seeking acknowledgment and accountability from those connected to one of the most notorious criminal cases in recent history.