New Epstein file photos appear to show Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on floor with woman
Sir Keir Starmer says Andrew ‘should be prepared’ to testify before the US Congress about his links to Jeffrey Epstein following the latest disclosure of files
Disgraced Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is once again under fire over his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein after new pictures emerged in the latest tranche of files about the paedophile financier.
Photos which appear to show Andrew crouched over a woman on a floor are among a string of revelations about the prince in the latest documents, which also include emails suggesting he invited the sex offender for dinner at Buckingham Palace and agreed to meet a “beautiful” 26-year-old Russian woman.
In the undated images, the royal appears to kneel on the ground as he leans over an unidentified woman, while another angle shows the woman’s abdomen being touched.
Following the emergence of the latest files, Sir Keir Starmer said Andrew should testify before the US Congress about his links to Epstein. The former prince had been accused of “hiding” by US officials after he was invited to an interview by the US House oversight committee.
The images, among more than three million documents published by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday, have no captions, and it is not known where they were taken.
But they will likely put further pressure on Andrew, who has faced ongoing questions over his friendship with the late financier. He has always denied any wrongdoing.
Sir Keir, when asked if Andrew should apologise and testify to the congressional Epstein investigation, said Epstein’s victims “have to to be the first priority”. The prime minister, who was speaking in Japan on the last leg of his visit to Asia, then added: “As for whether there should be an apology, that’s a matter for Andrew.
“But yes, in terms of testifying, I have always said anybody who has got information should be prepared to share that information in whatever form they are asked to do that. You can’t be victim-centred if you’re not prepared to do that.”
Other files revealed Andrew, who was stripped of his royal titles over his links to the sex offender, invited Epstein for dinner at Buckingham Palace in 2010, two years after Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution.
In an email exchange dated 27 September 2010, Andrew says he is travelling back from Scotland to London, where Epstein is staying. He suggests “we could have dinner at Buckingham Palace and lots of privacy”.
Epstein responds: “Already in london [sic]. what time woudl [sic] you like me and we will also need/ have private time.”
It is not clear whether a meeting at the palace took place. The Independent has approached Andrew and Buckingham Palace for comment.
Elsewhere in the tranche of documents, screenshots and scans appear to show the former prince agreeing to meet a Russian woman for a dinner arranged by Epstein.
In an August 2010 exchange, the financier writes: “I have a friend who I think you might enjoy having dinner with.”
In response, “The Duke” replies: “Of course. I am in Geneva until the morning of 22nd but would be delighted to see her. Will she be bringing a message from you? Please give her my contact details to get in touch.”
The exchange later continues: “Great. Any other information you might know about her that might be useful to know? Like what have you told her about me and have you given her my email as well?”
Epstein then writes: “She 26, russian, clevere [sic] beautiful, trustworthy and yes she has your email.”
In a different exchange, which was also released on Friday, British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell agreed that “Andrew” should choose to spend time with “Sarah and the kids” instead of visiting “the Island” where there would be “five stunning red heads”.
Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence for her role in sex-trafficking Epstein’s victims.
The messages were sent between an address named “The Invisible Man” and Maxwell in August 2002.
In an email signed “A”, the sender says: “As the planning is getting more difficult over the bank holiday weekend here I am thinking now I might join Sarah and the kids in Sotogrande for a few days which would be very important and a good thing for the girls, rather than trek across the pond.
“Please will you give me permission to do so and I am conscious of the ‘better offer’ syndrome but in this case it wouldn’t be that… I think!”
In her reply, dated 24 August 2002, Maxwell said: “Andrew sweet heart – I fully understand if you want to spend time w/Sarah and the kids. I will not be remotely offended – sad not to spend time w/you and sad not to see you but at this point w/precious holidays and few days off I agree that this idea of coming to the Island looks less appealing.”
In a follow-up email the next day, after The Invisible Man confirmed he would not be coming, Maxwell added: “No problem, (redacted), who is now coming and five other stunning red heads will all just have to play with ourselves.”
Andrew and ex-wife Sarah Ferguson have two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
In an email from an account called “Sarah”, dated 3 August 2009, Ms Ferguson appears to thank Epstein for “being the brother I have always wished for”.
The message thanks Epstein and refers to discussions she has been having with retailers regarding her “Sarah Ferguson brand”, adding she has “never been more touched by a friend’s kindness”.
The exchange took place after Epstein had been convicted of sex crimes. The Independent has contacted Ms Ferguson for comment.
Another email also shows Epstein was invited to Andrew’s 50th birthday party at St James’s Palace in 2010.
Sent by Andrew’s then-private secretary, Amanda Thirsk, on behalf of Andrew’s former wife, the email read: “Dear Jeffrey. Beatrice, Eugenie and I (Sarah Ferguson) would love to invite you to celebrate the 50 years of Papa/Andrew.
“It will be on February 26th 2010, from 7.30pm for Drinks and for 8.30pm for Dinner, at St. James’s Palace, London.
“It will be suits and cocktail dresses, and you know me, mysterious mischief, so bring your presents, your presence and your humour!”
Epstein declined the invite, writing back: “Not able”.
Other emails from March 2011 between Epstein and his publicist suggest that they wanted Ms Ferguson to release a statement saying he was “not a pedo” and she had been “duped” into believing false allegations about him.
The latest Epstein file dump comes after a series of disclosures in December, including an email sent from Balmoral signed “A”, which asked Maxwell for “inappropriate friends”.
Epstein was found dead in his cell at a federal jail in Manhattan, New York, in August 2019 while he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges. His death was ruled a suicide.
Andrew has faced allegations, which he strenuously denies, that he sexually assaulted a teenage Virginia Giuffre after she was trafficked by Epstein. He paid millions to Ms Giuffre to settle a civil sexual assault claim in 2022.
Andrew stepped down from royal duties in 2019 after a disastrous BBC Newsnight interview on his friendship with the late financier. Last year, the King went further, stripping his disgraced brother of both his HRH style and his prince title.
The files also suggest Epstein wired to £10,000 to the husband of Labour peer Lord Mandelson in September 2009, just two months after he was released from prison for sex crimes.
Lord Mandelson was sacked as the UK’s ambassador to the US by Sir Keir Starmer when details of his relationship with Epstein emerged in September. He has apologised “unequivocally” to the financier’s victims for remaining friends with him after his conviction.
The documents were published after President Donald Trump, who is mentioned more than 3,000 times in the latest batch, bowed to mounting pressure to release all the files relating to Epstein.
The documents, which include more than 2,000 videos and 180,000 images, were released more than a month after the 19 December deadline set by the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
President Trump, 79, continues to face scrutiny over his friendship with the financier. However, he insists he cut ties with Epstein years ago and has claimed the files are a “hoax” perpetuated by Democrats to distract from his accomplishments.
He, and other prominent figures named in the files, have not been accused of criminal wrongdoing.
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