Virginia Giuffre's Family Holds Washington Vigil as King Charles III Arrives for State Visit
A memorial vigil for Virginia Giuffre, a prominent accuser of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, was held in Washington D.C., commemorating the first anniversary of her death. Her brother, Sky Roberts, addressed the gathering near the Washington Monument, stating his sister had transformed “pain into purpose”.
The vigil took place as King Charles III and Queen Camilla commenced a state visit to the United States. Sigrid McCawley, Giuffre’s lawyer, reiterated appeals for the King to engage with Epstein survivors, characterising the absence of such a meeting as a “missed opportunity”. McCawley acknowledged concerns about potential interference with legal proceedings but suggested survivors would understand if the King listened without offering comment.
Over 100 individuals attended the memorial, including Sydney Beasly, who expressed that the monarchy needed to interact with diverse groups, including survivors, to maintain relevance and foster awareness. Sky Roberts had previously stated a desire for King Charles III to demonstrate unity with survivors through a brief meeting.
While Queen Camilla is scheduled to meet with representatives of campaigns against violence against women during the state visit, a meeting between the King and Epstein survivors is not anticipated, citing concerns over legal implications. Giuffre, who had written a memoir detailing her abuse by Epstein, had pursued legal action against then-Prince Andrew, which concluded with a financial settlement. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
Congressman Jamie Raskin, a Democrat lawmaker, credited Giuffre with inspiring other survivors of Epstein’s “nightmarish trafficking operation,” calling the accountability process an “irreversible reckoning.” Raskin attributed the systemic failures to an “unequal and morally impoverished society, a legal and criminal justice system contaminated by corruption and privilege and our political system infected with complacency.” Wendy Pesante, an Epstein survivor, told attendees the event served as both a memorial and a call to continued collective action and advocacy.
