The Duke of York, Prince Andrew, and his former wife, Sarah Ferguson, have found themselves at the centre of fresh controversy after being photographed leaving a private London gathering. The event was hosted by none other than Isabel Maxwell, the sister of the convicted sex offender Ghislaine Maxwell.
The surprising sighting occurred as the couple departed a dinner party at Ms Maxwell's multi-million pound townhouse in the capital. This encounter marks another problematic association for the Prince, whose ties to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein have already caused significant damage to his reputation and royal standing.
A Controversial Gathering
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the royal duo leaving the residence late in the evening. The timing of this meeting is particularly sensitive, given that Ghislaine Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in facilitating Jeffrey Epstein's abuse of young girls.
This is not the first time Prince Andrew's name has been linked to the Epstein circle. His previous friendship with the disgraced financier led to his withdrawal from public life in 2019, following a disastrous BBC Newsnight interview addressing the allegations.
Buckingham Palace Remains Silent
As news of this latest encounter spreads, Buckingham Palace has maintained its characteristic silence on the matter. The Palace has consistently declined to comment on the Duke's private activities since he stepped back from royal duties.
Meanwhile, representatives for Sarah Ferguson have also refrained from making any public statements regarding the dinner party or her association with the Maxwell family.
Public and Media Reaction
The revelation has sparked immediate criticism from victims' rights advocates and royal commentators alike. Many question the judgement of engaging with figures connected to one of the most notorious sexual abuse cases in recent history.
This development comes at a delicate time for the Royal Family, who have been working to rebuild public trust following various recent scandals. The sight of a senior royal, albeit one without official duties, socialising with the inner circle of the Epstein scandal is likely to raise serious questions about the institution's ability to learn from past mistakes.
