A newly released photograph from the US Justice Department appears to show Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the King's brother, lying across the laps of several individuals, with convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell smiling in the background.
Details of the Released Photograph
The undated image, part of a massive cache of documents related to the late financier and convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, shows the former prince reclined on his side. He appears to have his head near a woman's lap while positioned across five people. The picture is a photograph of an image in a frame, with Maxwell seen peering down at the scene.
This release came as part of a legal requirement under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandated the US Justice Department to make public all files from the Epstein investigation by midnight on Friday. The department's website experienced an "extremely high volume of search requests" as the files were uploaded.
Content and Criticism of the Document Dump
US Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that "several hundred thousand" documents would be released, with thousands more to follow in the coming weeks to protect victims' identities. The trove includes court records, footage, and images.
However, the release has faced significant criticism. Many documents and photos are heavily redacted, prompting backlash from US lawmakers and lawyers representing Epstein's victims. Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, who pushed for the disclosure law, stated the release "grossly fails to comply with both the spirit and the letter of the law."
Other images in the files include undated photos of Maxwell outside 10 Downing Street and posing with former US President Bill Clinton and actor Kevin Spacey. A spokesperson for Clinton emphasised he had cut ties with Epstein before his crimes came to light.
Ongoing Fallout and Scrutiny
For Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the release brings renewed scrutiny of his association with Epstein. He has strenuously denied allegations he sexually assaulted Virginia Giuffre after she was trafficked by Epstein, though he paid millions to settle her civil claim in 2022.
The controversy has had severe consequences for his royal status. Following the fallout from his 2019 Newsnight interview and subsequent developments, King Charles III officially stripped him of his HRH style and prince title.
Furthermore, US politicians have criticised his "silence" after he missed a deadline last month to respond to a request for an interview regarding Epstein. This latest document dump ensures the Epstein scandal and the royal's connection to it remain firmly in the public eye.
