King not meeting Epstein survivors, but state visit could help ease US-UK tensions

King will not meet Epstein survivors on US visit7 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleSean CoughlanRoyal correspondentPA MediaThe King's visit comes at a time of political tension between the UK and USThere will not be a meeting between the King and Queen and survivors of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during the state visit to the US later this month, a Buckingham Palace source has confirmed.But it is expected that Queen Camilla will meet representatives of groups campaigning against domestic abuse and violence against women at some of the events during the visit, which takes place on 27 to 30 April.The King will be heading towards some choppy diplomatic waters given the strained relationship between the UK and US, including over Iran war-related disputes.But Palace sources say the King can play a unique role in supporting a UK and US partnership that has "survived many presidencies and of course many reigns".EPACongressman Ro Khanna asked the King for a meeting with Epstein victimsA Foreign Office spokeswoman also highlighted how the King's visit could help strengthen the relationship and protect its long-term benefits."So yes, we are close allies, we do disagree on things, but that doesn't detract from the value that both sides get from this relationship and have done over many decades," she said.In the wake of the Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor scandal, there have been growing calls for the royal visitors to meet Epstein's victims, including from US Congressman Ro Khanna, Epstein survivor Lisa Phillips and the family of the late Virginia Giuffre.This will not be possible, according to Palace sources, who argue it could jeopardise legal proceedings and stop justice for victims.The source said: "We fully understand and appreciate the survivors' position, but can only reiterate that our position is clear that anything that could potentially impact on ongoing police inquiries and assessments, and any potential le...