Prince William and Princess Kate’s carefully planned outing in Scotland took an uncomfortable turn when a heckler confronted the couple with questions about Prince Andrew’s scandal. The Prince and Princess of Wales were engaging with the public during their visit when the interruption shifted attention from the event to the controversy surrounding William’s uncle.
The disruption began when a man in the crowd shouted, “How long have you known about Andrew and Epstein?” The question, referencing Prince Andrew’s widely reported ties to Jeffrey Epstein, cut sharply through what had otherwise been a routine public appearance. Rather than respond, William and Kate appeared to ignore the shouting and continued with their schedule, choosing not to engage and attempting to keep the focus on the visit itself.
Still, the moment reportedly cast a brief shadow over the engagement. Witnesses suggested the mood changed after the outburst, even if the couple maintained composure. As senior royals, they are accustomed to public scrutiny, but being confronted so directly during a community-focused outing underscored how difficult it can be to escape the wider controversies surrounding the royal family.
The timing of the incident is notable. Prince William has recently been in the news for his reportedly firm stance on handling matters related to Prince Andrew, with claims that he encouraged King Charles to take decisive action to prevent further damage to the monarchy. This comes as Prince Harry is back in the UK for his ongoing lawsuit against a publisher, adding yet another layer of tension to an already complicated period for the royal family.
Video footage of the heckling was shared on X by Republic, a group that openly campaigns for the abolition of the UK monarchy. The clip shows the couple walking as the crowd’s voice continues. At one point, the heckler calls out again, “Have you been covering up for Andrew?”
As the situation escalated, a man stepped in front of the camera, partially blocking the view. Moments later, a security officer approached to de-escalate the situation. Addressing the heckler, the officer said, “That’s alright, sir, that’s enough. There are children here. I’m a police officer, alright?” The camera then shifted away, panning toward the ground before the recording ended.
— Republic (@RepublicStaff) January 20, 2026
BREAKING NEWS: William has been heckled during a visit to Stirling. The public are still demanding the royals address the Andrew scandal! #AbolishTheMonarchy #Epstein pic.twitter.com/z6tASPaJYS
Despite the disruption, the visit continued. Known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay when in Scotland, William and Kate had stepped out to visit the community-run Gothenburg pub, locally referred to as the “Goth.” The venue is an important gathering place in the area, and the engagement was intended to highlight community initiatives rather than spark controversy.
While public walkabouts often come with unpredictable moments, this incident serves as a reminder of how deeply Prince Andrew’s scandal continues to affect the wider royal family. Even when focused on local communities, William and Kate remain tethered to the broader public debate surrounding the monarchy.
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