The Queen could secretly meet some of Jeffrey Epstein’s victims during her state visit to America in two weeks, The Mail on Sunday has learned.
Camilla, a life-long advocate for abused women, is said to have been approached by victims’ rights groups but negotiations are understood to be in the ‘very early stages.’
King Charles and Camilla will arrive in the US for a four-day tour to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence on April 27.
Last night a source said: ‘It’s quite possible the Queen would chose to meet with the victims in private. The victims have made no secret of their desire to meet with her.
‘Any negotiations would be top secret and in the very early stages but it would be a fantastic gesture of support on her part.’
Some have suggested First Lady Melania Trump may have made her surprise six-minute speech from the White House last week – in which she categorically denied being part of paedophile Epstein’s circle – in order to smooth the way for her to join the Queen at any meeting.
A source said: ‘Melania is another passionate women’s rights activist and she would obviously have to separate herself totally from all the rumours and misinformation that is out there before any meeting could take place. Perhaps that is why she made that stunning speech this week?’
Ex-model Lisa Phillips, an Epstein victim, told Radio 4’s Today programme on Friday she was ‘hopeful’ of meeting the Queen.
Ms Phillips said: ‘She’s always been supportive of the survivors and she’s taken a stand for us so she would be the more likely person to meet with us. So we are hopeful that maybe she will.’
The Queen has been a longstanding campaigner against domestic abuse and violence against women and girls, including talking about her own experience of an assault.
‘To every survivor of every kind of violence, many of whom have not been able to tell their stories or who have not been believed, please know that you are not alone,’ she said in a speech seen as a reference to Epstein’s victims.
Allowing Camilla to meet the Epstein survivors alone may yet prove a deft solution to a political hot potato for the King, especially given his brother Andrew’s previous friendship with Epstein.
Ms Philips, a prominent campaigner, said: ‘If I met her I would make sure she understands how important it is for survivors to get some sort of justice. We need transparency. Someone of her magnitude can make sure this moves on quicker.’
A source close to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s legal team said a meeting with Camilla would have to be private but would be ‘a natural thing for her to do’.
‘Camilla realised early on how toxic his [Andrew’s] links to Epstein were and she was a driving force behind the move to strip him of his titles,’ said the source.
‘The King has always had a degree of sympathy for his brother and would wobble when it came to making difficult decisions, but Camilla has never had any doubts about the fact that Andrew had to be cut out of the family.’
Spencer Kuvin, a lawyer who represents several Epstein survivors, said: ‘Queen Camilla has consistently positioned herself as an advocate for women affected by abuse, and this is exactly the kind of moment where that commitment should translate into action.
‘A meeting with Epstein’s survivors would send a powerful message that their voices matter – not just in courtrooms, but in the corridors of power.’
Files released by the US Department of Justice exposed Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s ties to Epstein. Last October the King stripped his younger brother of all his remaining titles. A statement announcing the decision said the King and Queen sympathised with ‘the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse’.
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on his 66th birthday in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office over accusations that he leaked confidential documents to Epstein while serving as trade envoy.
He has denied any wrongdoing.
Last night Buckingham Palace declined to comment.
Additional reporting: Daniel Bates
