Prince William ignores question from TV crew in Saudi Arabia asking if royals have ‘done enough’ over Epstein scandal as he shows off his football skills on day two of tour

Prince William appeared to ignore a question about the Royal Family‘s response to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal today during day two of his Saudi Arabia visit.

The Prince of Wales took part in a crossbar challenge at Misk Sports City in Riyadh as he met girls learning skills and was told about women footballers in the kingdom.

But the future king’s three-day trip to strengthen the UK’s ties with one of its key Middle East allies remains in danger of being overshadowed by ongoing allegations surrounding Epstein and his links to William’s uncle Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

At the sports city, a man was heard shouting at William: ‘Sir, to what extent do you think the Royal Family has done enough around the Andrew and Epstein issue?’

The shout – believed to be from a British member of a television crew following the prince – was reasonably far away from William, so it is not clear whether he heard what was said. In any event, he paid no attention and continued with his engagement.

The question came a day after both Kensington and Buckingham Palace shared statements highlighting the King and William and Kate’s concern over the scandal. Aides to William in Riyadh stressed he had a job to do and was getting on with it.

But much of the work of the Royal Family in recent weeks has been overshadowed by the scandal, reignited when a huge tranche of millions of documents associated with Epstein, a convicted sex offender, were released by US authorities on January 30.

Today, William met local families who regularly use the Misk facilities, which also include areas for padel and beach volleyball, as well as a BMX track and skate park.

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The Prince of Wales takes part in a crossbar challenge at Misk Sports City in Riyadh today

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The Prince of Wales speaks with a group of young female footballers at Misk Sports City today

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The Prince of Wales and Prince Abdulaziz, Minister of Sport, pose for a group photo today

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The Prince of Wales takes part in a crossbar challenge at Misk Sports City in Riyadh today

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The Prince of Wales speaks to a group of young cyclists during a visit to Misk Sports City today

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The Prince of Wales takes part in a crossbar challenge at Misk Sports City in Riyadh today

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The Prince of Wales speaks with a group of young female footballers at Misk Sports City today

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The Prince of Wales takes part in a crossbar challenge at Misk Sports City in Riyadh today

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The Prince of Wales speaks with a group of young female footballers at Misk Sports City today

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The Prince of Wales takes part in a crossbar challenge at Misk Sports City in Riyadh today

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The Prince of Wales speaks with a group of young female footballers at Misk Sports City today

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The Prince of Wales and Prince Abdulaziz, Minister of Sport, pose for a group photo today

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The Prince of Wales is presented with a football shirt during a visit to Misk Sports City today

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The Prince of Wales speaks to a group of boys during a visit to Misk Sports City in Riyadh today

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The Prince of Wales and Prince Abdulaziz, Minister of Sport, pose for a group photo today

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The Prince of Wales takes part in a crossbar challenge at Misk Sports City in Riyadh today

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The Prince of Wales speaks with a group of young female footballers at Misk Sports City today

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The Prince of Wales speaks to a group of young cyclists during a visit to Misk Sports City today

The heir to the throne also met young girls aged from ten to 15 from youth squads in Riyadh as they took part in training drills on the pitch at Misk Sports City.

He was challenged to take part in a crossbar challenge, taking three shots at goal with the aim of hitting the crossbar. But he instead put all three balls in the net.

‘This is my first time in Saudi Arabia,’ he told the group. ‘Have any of you ever been to the UK? You know the weather’s different – cold and rainy but you have the sunshine here all the time. Good luck with the football, keep practising and we’ll see you in the World Cup.’

He was greeted by Dr Majid bin Al Qassabi, Minister of Commerce, and Prince Abdulaziz, Minister of Sport, as well as representatives from the Misk Foundation.

William also spoke with Lamia Bahaian, vice president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), who gave him an overview of women’s football in the kingdom.

Saudi officials claim that since 2016, women’s sports participation has increased by 150 per cent, with over 330,000 registered female athletes operating nationwide.

Earlier, William walked through an environmentally sustainable urban regeneration project and spoke to students as he visited the area, which was nominated for his Earthshot prize and has created a ‘green cultural pathway’ through Riyadh.

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The Prince of Wales speaks with a group of young female footballers at Misk Sports City today

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The Prince of Wales speaks with a group of young female footballers at Misk Sports City today

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The Prince of Wales visits Misk Sports City in Riyadh on his tour of Saudi Arabia today

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The Prince of Wales with Saudi officials during a visit to Misk Sports City in Riyadh today

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The Prince of Wales is given a gift of dolls by a girl during a visit to Misk Sports City today

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The Prince of Wales speaks with Lamia Bahaian of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation today

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The Prince of Wales watching a football practice match during a visit to Misk Sports City today

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The Prince of Wales is given a gift of dolls by a girl during a visit to Misk Sports City today

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The Prince of Wales speaks with a group of young female footballers at Misk Sports City today

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The Prince of Wales during a visit to Misk Sports City in Riyadh today

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The Prince of Wales speaks with a group of young female footballers at Misk Sports City today

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The Prince of Wales during a visit to Misk Sports City in Riyadh today

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The Prince of Wales watches a group of young female footballers at Misk Sports City today

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The Prince of Wales during a visit to Misk Sports City in Riyadh today

William toured a section of the 83-mile Sports Boulevard programme which connects cycling paths, horse trails, green parks and cultural landmarks.

He was also shown an environmentally sustainable helmet and spoke to Osman Bakr, physics professor at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology.

The initiative was built along an old line of electricity pylons and aims to plant more than four million square metres of greenery and nearly 200,000 trees.

The project supports the core quality-of-life initiative of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to transform the kingdom into a diversified and sustainable economy.

William discussed the changes to Saudi Arabian society spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman when he toured Sports Boulevard.

The Saudi ruler, known by his initials MBS, hosted the prince for an intimate dinner yesterday evening as William began his three-day trip.

A royal source said: ‘The prince enjoyed an evening with the crown prince. It was warm, far-ranging conversation which touched on many elements of UK-Saudi bilateral relationship.

‘The prince gifted MBS an England shirt signed and worn by captain Harry Kane at the England vs Senegal friendly on June 10 2025.’

At Sports Boulevard, William stopped at a popular cafe and chatted to locals including Reem Alrowaili and her seven-year-old daughter Eliana Mufti.

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The Prince of Wales plays a game at an esports tournament at Boulevard City in Riyadh today

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The Prince of Wales speaks to gamers at an esports tournament at Boulevard City today

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The Prince of Wales plays a game at an esports tournament at Boulevard City in Riyadh today

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William meets Saudi Esports Federation chairman Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud

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The Prince of Wales plays a game at an esports tournament at Boulevard City in Riyadh today

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The Prince of Wales attending an esports tournament at Boulevard City in Riyadh today

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The Prince of Wales speaks to gamers at an esports tournament at Boulevard City today

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William meets Saudi Esports Federation chairman Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud

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The Prince of Wales attending an esports tournament at Boulevard City in Riyadh today

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The Prince of Wales speaks to gamers at an esports tournament at Boulevard City today

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William meets Saudi Esports Federation chairman Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud

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Saudi Esports Federation chairman Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud in Riyadh today

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William meets Saudi Esports Federation chairman Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud

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The Prince of Wales attending an esports tournament at Boulevard City in Riyadh today

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The Prince of Wales attending an esports tournament at Boulevard City in Riyadh today

Ms Alrowaili said after chatting to the prince, who was gifted three grape-flavoured lollipops by Eliana for his children: ‘We were talking about the changes and women’s empowerment.

‘I am 43 years old, I lived the old days where we were not allowed to do anything, and now I’m really happy for my daughter because she will experience the good life, the better life.’

Meanwhile the King has made clear his ‘profound concern’ at allegations relating to Andrew’s conduct relating to convicted sex offender Epstein.

Buckingham Palace said last night that it would ‘stand ready to support’ Thames Valley Police if approached over claims involving the King’s brother.

The Prince and Princess of Wales publicly addressed the Epstein crisis for the first time yesterday, with Kensington Palace saying they were ‘deeply concerned’ at the ‘continued revelations’ and that their thoughts ‘remain focused on the victims’.

Andrew, William’s uncle, was stripped of his titles in December by Charles after years of being dogged by sex allegations, which he has strenuously denied, centred around Epstein.

The former prince has faced fresh claims after the recent release of millions of documents relating to the disgraced financier.

Yesterday, William began his trip by holding talks with MBS, followed by a private dinner at his farm in a world Unesco site in the Saudi capital.

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The Prince of Wales stands for a photo near the Art Tower at Sports Boulevard in Riyadh today

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The Prince of Wales speaks with Reem Alrowaili and her daughter Eliana in Riyadh today

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The Prince of Wales looks at a helmet during a visit to Sports Boulevard in Riyadh today

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Sports Boulevard Foundation chief executive Jayne McGivern speaks to Prince William today

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The Prince of Wales speaks with Reem Alrowaili and her daughter Eliana in Riyadh today

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The Prince of Wales at the environmentally sustainable urban regeneration programme today

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The Prince of Wales speaks with the cafe owner during a visit to Sports Boulevard in Riyadh

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The Prince of Wales listens to Professor Osman Bakr during a visit to Sports Boulevard today

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The Prince of Wales speaks with students during a visit to Sports Boulevard in Riyadh today

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The Prince of Wales at the Art Tower during a visit to Sports Boulevard in Riyadh today

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The Prince of Wales speaks with students during a visit to Sports Boulevard in Riyadh today

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The Prince of Wales and Osman Bakr, science and physics professor, look at an exhibit today

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The Prince of Wales speaks with students during a visit to Sports Boulevard in Riyadh today

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The Prince of Wales at an environmentally sustainable urban regeneration programme today

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The Prince of Wales speaks with students during a visit to Sports Boulevard in Riyadh today

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The Prince of Wales at an environmentally sustainable urban regeneration programme today

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The Prince of Wales speaks with students during a visit to Sports Boulevard in Riyadh today

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The Prince of Wales walks near the Art Tower during a visit to Sports Boulevard in Riyadh today

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The Prince of Wales speaks with students during a visit to Sports Boulevard in Riyadh today

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The Prince of Wales takes a break at a cafe during a visit to Sports Boulevard in Riyadh today

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The Prince of Wales during a visit to Sports Boulevard in Riyadh on day two of his visit today

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The Prince of Wales speaks with students during a visit to Sports Boulevard in Riyadh today

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The Prince of Wales and Osman Bakr, science and physics professor, look at an exhibit today

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The Prince of Wales speaks with students during a visit to Sports Boulevard in Riyadh today

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The Prince of Wales stands for a photo near the Art Tower on a visit to Sports Boulevard today

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The Prince of Wales speaks with Reem Alrowaili and her daughter Eliana in Riyadh today

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The Prince of Wales listens to Professor Osman Bakr during a visit to Sports Boulevard today

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The Prince of Wales speaks with students during a visit to Sports Boulevard in Riyadh today

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The Prince of Wales listens to Professor Osman Bakr during a visit to Sports Boulevard today

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The Prince of Wales speaks with Reem Alrowaili and her daughter Eliana in Riyadh today

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The Prince of Wales looks at an exhibit during a visit to Sports Boulevard in Riyadh today

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The Prince of Wales walks near the Art Tower during a visit to Sports Boulevard in Riyadh today

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The Prince of Wales looks at a helmet during a visit to Sports Boulevard in Riyadh today

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The Prince of Wales takes a break at a cafe during a visit to Sports Boulevard in Riyadh today

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The Prince of Wales speaks with Reem Alrowaili and her daughter Eliana in Riyadh today

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The Prince of Wales during a visit to Sports Boulevard in Riyadh on day two of his trip today

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The Prince of Wales speaks with students at Sports Boulevard in Riyadh today

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The Prince of Wales visits the environmentally sustainable urban regeneration programme

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The Prince of Wales listens to Professor Osman Bakr during a visit to Sports Boulevard today

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The Prince of Wales visits the environmentally sustainable urban regeneration programme

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The Prince of Wales in Riyadh today on day two of his visit to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia

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The Prince of Wales visits the environmentally sustainable urban regeneration programme

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The Prince of Wales speaks with students during a visit to Sports Boulevard in Riyadh today

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The Prince of Wales visits the environmentally sustainable urban regeneration programme

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The Prince of Wales speaks with students during a visit to Sports Boulevard in Riyadh today

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The Art Tower stands at the Sports Boulevard, a sustainable urban regeneration project

London and Riyadh are hopeful the two men, who have met before, will develop a connection – with any burgeoning relationship between the two royals likely to set the tone for Anglo-Saudi relations for decades to come.

But the crown prince – known as MBS – is a controversial figure to the West, the head of an absolute monarchy whose regime has been accused of human rights violations, while the ruler is alleged to have links to the killing of a journalist.

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The Saudi ruler’s reputation was badly damaged by a US intelligence determination that claimed he had ordered the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

A source said about the Saudis: ‘They are delighted that he’s here. The fact that he’s a prince and the future king matters enormously. They want it to be a friendship that lasts.’

William was greeted at King Khalid International Airport yesterday, after arriving on a RAF plane, by the deputy governor of Riyadh, Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz.

After a welcome gahwa – Arabic coffee flavoured with cardamon – and a brief chat with dignitaries in the royal terminal, the prince was whisked off for his first royal engagement with the crown prince.

The prince discussed the trip with his father the King, who has made a number of public and private visits to Saudi Arabia, and was also briefed by UK’s ambassador the country Stephen Hitchen.