Buckingham Palace has officially confirmed that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was admitted through its gates in 1999, raising serious questions about royal security protocols during that period.
Security Under Scrutiny
The admission comes as New York prosecutors intensify their investigation into Epstein's British associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, and examine the extent of her royal connections. Court documents have revealed that Maxwell claimed to have introduced Epstein to "numerous prominent American and British politicians, powerful business executives, foreign presidents, a well-known Prime Minister, and other world leaders."
Maxwell's Royal Connections
Ghislaine Maxwell, daughter of late media mogul Robert Maxwell, was known to move in elite social circles that included members of the Royal Family. Her friendship with Prince Andrew has been particularly scrutinised, with photographs emerging of them together at various social events.
Geoffrey Berman, the former US Attorney who oversaw the Epstein case, emphasised that the investigation into Maxwell's activities remains active. "We don't believe she acted alone," Berman stated, suggesting the probe could uncover additional individuals involved in Epstein's trafficking network.
Ongoing Investigations
The revelation about Epstein's Buckingham Palace access has prompted:
- Review of historical security protocols at royal residences
- Examination of visitor logs from the late 1990s
- Increased scrutiny of Maxwell's UK connections
- Ongoing cooperation between UK and US authorities
Buckingham Palace maintains that current security measures are significantly more robust than those in place during the 1990s, though the admission has undoubtedly raised concerns about historical access granted to controversial figures.
