Prince Andrew has been plunged into a fresh crisis, as a picture shows that he previously welcomed Jeffrey Epstein into the Royal Box at Ascot. The late Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen Mother were also present on the day the picture was taken.
The picture, discovered during a search of Epstein’s £60 million [$79m] Manhattan mansion, was taken on June 22, 2000. It shows Andrew, along with the American financier and Ghislaine Maxwell, in an invitation-only area strictly reserved for members of the monarchy and their guests.
According to the Mirror, Epstein is thought to have treated the picture, placed alongside others including Richard Branson and Mick Jagger, as a personal badge of legitimacy and protection.
Speaking of the image, a source said: “This was no accident. That image was positioned to be seen. It was a clear statement of the access and influence Jeff had cultivated.
“He had it positioned in front of pictures with some of the world’s most powerful and rich men; that is what his friendship with Andrew meant.
“Jeff wanted everyone and anyone to know he was connected to the royals. He joined Andrew on the day the Queen and her mother were there. He would tell anyone.”
As well as being Epstein’s home, the Manhattan mansion was also where Andrew stayed during his visits to the United States.
It is also where Andrew’s sex abuse accuser Virginia Giuffre, who died earlier this year, claimed she had sex with the royal at the behest of Epstein.
Andrew, now aged 65, has repeatedly and vehemently denied her claims.
Despite claiming his innocence, Andrew opted to settle out of court in early 2022, reportedly paying £12 million to Virginia. The payout came without any admission of liability, but it did led to Andrew’s removal from royal patronages and military titles.
