Fresh allegations have emerged suggesting Prince Andrew was aware of Jeffrey Epstein's inappropriate behaviour towards women before introducing a young actress to the disgraced financier, who later sexually assaulted her.
The Windsor Castle Introduction
According to a statement obtained by The Mail on Sunday, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor introduced a glamorous actress he was dating in the late 1990s to Jeffrey Epstein during a visit to Windsor Castle in October 1999. The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was reportedly one of the last of Epstein's victims to receive a payout from his estate this past June.
High-profile US lawyer Perry Wander stated that the former prince encouraged the woman to spend time with Epstein, including flying on his private jet and visiting his Palm Beach mansion and private island. Mr Wander alleged that Andrew specifically told the woman he 'trusted Jeffrey and Ghislaine', referring to Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
Revelation of Prior Knowledge
Most damningly, when the woman confided in Andrew that Epstein had behaved 'inappropriately towards her', the royal allegedly responded that 'he wasn't surprised' as someone else had made a similar allegation against the financier.
Mr Wander explained that the woman did not explicitly tell Andrew she had been sexually assaulted at the time, as she 'struggled for decades to understand and accept what had happened to her'. The lawyer described this as a common response among trauma survivors.
The relationship between Andrew and the actress began in 1999 and included several dates, with one lunch taking place at Buckingham Palace. The introduction to Epstein and Maxwell occurred during their brief romance.
Fallout and Ongoing Investigations
These new claims surface just one month after Andrew was stripped of all his royal titles and handed an eviction notice from Royal Lodge. The timing adds further pressure on the disgraced royal, who continues to face relentless calls to give evidence to the US Congress about his former friendship with Epstein.
The woman reportedly decided to come forward after being inspired by the late Virginia Giuffre, who took her own life in April. Giuffre had claimed she was trafficked by Epstein at age 17 and forced to have sex with Andrew on three occasions - allegations the former prince repeatedly denies.
Earlier this month, an email containing a supportive message to Epstein sent by the woman the day after his arrest in July 2019 was released. Mr Wander clarified that this did not reflect her true feelings and was the result of a 'trauma bond', a psychological phenomenon often seen in abusive relationships.
The emerging details paint a troubling picture of what Andrew knew about Epstein's behaviour and when he knew it, raising further questions about his judgement and continuing association with the convicted sex offender.
