Rio de Janeiro’s mayor directly addressed concerns that the controversy surrounding Andrew Mountbatten Windsor could overshadow Prince William’s visit to Brazil, offering a blunt response shortly after formally welcoming the royal to the city.
Prince William began his five-day visit to Brazil with a scenic ceremony atop Rio’s iconic Sugarloaf Mountain, where Mayor Eduardo Paes presented him with the ceremonial keys to the city.
The Prince travelled by cable car to the summit, which offers sweeping views of the Christ the Redeemer monument and Rio’s sprawling coastline.
The symbolic keys are traditionally bestowed upon King Momo, the carnival monarch who opens the city’s world-famous festivities each year.
Rio mayor addresses Andrew Mountbatten Windsor scandal after welcoming Prince William to Brazil
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The presentation to William marked an especially warm welcome, with the mayor describing the meeting as typically informal and good-humoured in Brazilian fashion.
However, the light-hearted tone shifted slightly when Mr Paes was asked whether the ongoing scandal involving Andrew Mountbatten Windsor might detract from William’s official programme.
As reported by the Express, the mayor replied: “Well, we all have problems.”
The controversy surrounding Andrew stems from his association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and allegations made by Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexually assaulting her when she was 17, claims he has always denied.
In 2022, he reached an out-of-court settlement with Mrs Giuffre without admitting liability, agreeing to make a payment that included a donation to her charity for victims of abuse.
The fallout from the scandal led King Charles III to strip him of his royal titles, honours and official style.
Earlier this month, it was confirmed that Andrew would no longer use the title of Prince and would vacate his Windsor residence, Royal Lodge, marking a complete withdrawal from royal life.
William’s exchange with the mayor took place just minutes after he was officially welcomed to Rio, marking the opening of his five-day Brazilian visit.
His trip includes hosting the Earthshot Prize ceremony in Rio de Janeiro and attending the COP 30 climate conference in Belém, where he is expected to deliver a keynote address on global conservation.
The Sugarloaf Mountain engagement combined pageantry with diplomacy, setting the tone for a visit focused on environmental leadership, youth engagement and strengthening international ties.
From the summit, the Prince of Wales admired Rio’s dramatic skyline, a fitting start to a royal visit centred on protecting the planet’s natural beauty.