Prince William, Princess Kate step out amid Epstein fallout, protests

Edward Segarra, USA TODAYWed, March 11, 2026 at 3:30 PM UTC

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The former Prince Andrew may not be a working royal anymore, but the shadow of his controversies looms large.

Several members of the British royal family — Prince William, Princess Kate, King Charles III and Queen Camilla — were spotted at Westminster Abbey in London on Monday, March 9, for the 2026 Commonwealth Day Service.

The annual celebration, which traces its roots back to the chiefly British Empire Day, observes the unity of the Commonwealth of Nations, an international association of 56 countries. It's often celebrated through a series of local events, which can include "faith and civic gatherings, debates, school assemblies, flag-raising ceremonies and cultural events," according to the Commonwealth's official website.

The royals' appearance comes nearly a month after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested by British police on suspicion of misconduct in public life. He has since been released from custody.

Prince William, left, and Princess Kate attend the 2026 Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey in London on March 9, 2026.

The Prince and Princess of Wales, decked out in matching navy-blue ensembles, partook in the festivities as they sat inside the royal church and watched the service, as seen in photos from the event.

In another photo, King Charles, wearing a pinstripe blue suit, and Queen Camilla, clad from head to toe in crimson, stood side by side with William and Kate.

King Charles III, from left, Queen Camilla, Prince William and Princess Kate attend the 2026 Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey in London on March 9, 2026.

But not everyone was in the mood to celebrate.

Several anti-royalist protesters gathered in London on Monday and Tuesday to voice opposition to both the royal family and the monarchy as a British institution. A group of demonstrators, holding signs that read "down with the crown" and "not my king," stood next to an enlarged dinosaur puppet, which was topped with a crown.

Protesters in London hold signs next to a dinosaur puppet wearing a crown on March 10, 2025. A group of anti-royalists called a demonstration against the monarchy, as senior members of the British royal family attended the annual Commonwealth Day Service.

In a more pointed statement aimed at King Charles' brother, the former Prince Andrew, one protester held up a sign that featured a photo of Andrew from the Epstein files. The image shows the disgraced royal kneeling on all fours over an unidentified woman on the ground. The sign read, "Charles, what did you know?"

The former prince has faced intense scrutiny over his friendship with the late convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. Mountbatten-Windsor, who was stripped of his royal titles in October, has denied any wrongdoing and said he regrets the friendship; he has not been charged.

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Andrew also has not responded to previous requests for comment following the release of the Epstein files, which were published by the U.S. Justice Department as part of its sweeping investigation of Epstein's past records and communications.

Protesters hold placards and wave flags outside the annual Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey in London on March 9, 2026.

Commonwealth Day is not the first time the royal family has stepped out amid Mountbatten-Windsor's growing scandal.

King Charles attended the opening of London Fashion Week on Feb. 19, the same day that the former prince was apprehended by British authorities.

And last week, Princess Kate visited the U.K. city of Leicester to mark the celebration of Holi alongside members of the British Indian community.

What has the royal family said about former Prince Andrew?

Following Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest in February, King Charles III released a statement showing support for the police's investigation.

"I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office," the king said at the time.

"What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities," Charles continued. "In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and cooperation. Let me state clearly: the law must take its course."

Prince William and Princess Kate, who have previously shown their support for victims of Epstein, supported King Charles' remarks, USA TODAY learned.

Contributing: Anna Kaufman, Kim Hjelmgaard, Taijuan Moorman, Laura Trujillo and Sarah D. Wire, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Prince William, royal family attend Commonwealth Day amid protests

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