Newly unsealed court documents have alleged that Prince Andrew knew Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell were trafficking children for sex. The files, released as part of a 2015 US defamation case brought by Virginia Giuffre against Maxwell, include a list of witnesses Giuffre's lawyers sought to subpoena. Under Prince Andrew's name, the document states he 'has knowledge of Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein's sexual trafficking conduct and interaction with underage minors, including Virginia Giuffre.'
The Duke of York has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The latest release follows an earlier tranche of documents on Wednesday, which included allegations of an orgy with underage girls. Prince Andrew is mentioned more than 70 times across nearly 1,000 pages of interviews and transcripts.
Anti-monarchy group Republic has reported Prince Andrew to the Metropolitan Police over the allegations. Graham Smith, the group's chief executive, criticised the force for failing to conduct a serious criminal investigation. The Met previously stated in August 2022 that it was taking no further action regarding Epstein-related allegations.
The developments are seen as a setback for Prince Andrew's gradual rehabilitation within the royal family. Sources suggest the new files may strengthen King Charles's resolve to address the 'Andrew problem' decisively, with plans reportedly underway to evict him from Royal Lodge and relocate him to a smaller residence.
