Prince Andrew's past ties to Epstein, Maxwell, and Weinstein draw renewed scrutiny

Prince Andrew's past association with Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and Harvey Weinstein has come under renewed scrutiny following reports that the trio attended an event hosted by the prince at Royal Lodge, his publicly-owned residence in Windsor, in 2006.

According to sources familiar with the matter, Epstein, Maxwell, and Weinstein were hosted by the Duke of York at Royal Lodge for his daughter Princess Beatrice's 18th birthday celebration. The event took place two months after a US arrest warrant had been issued for Epstein on charges of sexually assaulting a minor, reports the BBC.

It was previously reported that the three had attended festivities at Windsor Castle, but the revelation that they were also received at Royal Lodge — where Andrew "effectively lives rent-free" — has intensified public scrutiny of his conduct, finances, and housing arrangements. The BBC verified a photograph showing the trio at Royal Lodge by matching the trees and patio wall with other images of the property.

The main celebration reportedly followed at Windsor Castle's state rooms, including a champagne reception and banquet. Epstein was arrested in Florida eight days later.

When questioned about the 2006 invitation during a 2019 BBC Newsnight interview, Prince Andrew said, "Certainly I wasn't aware when the invitation was issued what was going on in the United States and I wasn't aware until the media picked up on it because he never said anything about it."

The Duke of York stepped back from public life and relinquished his titles earlier this month, following renewed attention brought by the posthumous release of Virginia Giuffre's memoir.

In her memoir, Giuffre alleged she had sexual relations with the prince on three occasions, including one encounter involving Epstein and "eight other young girls." Andrew has consistently denied the allegations, telling Newsnight that he did not remember meeting Giuffre "at all" and that they "never had any sort of sexual contact." He reached a financial settlement with her in 2022.

Records show Epstein and Maxwell were frequent guests at royal residences in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Andrew is reported to have invited them to Balmoral in 1999, while Epstein attended events at Windsor Castle in 2000. The prince also hosted a birthday celebration for Maxwell at Sandringham, which he described to Newsnight as "a straightforward shooting weekend."

Maxwell visited Buckingham Palace in 2002 as part of a private tour, possibly arranged by Andrew, during which she was photographed on the monarch's throne alongside actor Kevin Spacey. Andrew has acknowledged traveling on Epstein's private jet and visiting his private island, Palm Beach mansion, and Maxwell's London residence.

Questions have also been raised about how Andrew funds his lifestyle since stepping back as a working royal. The duke reportedly pays only a "token annual rent" for Royal Lodge despite having spent substantial sums on renovations. Buckingham Palace has not commented on whether he may be asked to move out. Adelaide Cottage and Frogmore Cottage on the Windsor estate have been discussed as possible alternative residences for Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.

Epstein died by suicide in a New York jail in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. He had previously reached a plea deal in 2008 after being accused of molesting a 14-year-old girl. Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence in the United States for recruiting and trafficking minors for Epstein's abuse. Weinstein remains convicted of multiple sexual assault charges in New York and Los Angeles, though a retrial has been ordered on some counts.

Prince Andrew has not responded to requests for comment regarding his association with Epstein or questions about his current living arrangements.