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Epstein documents reveal image of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor at Sandringham
The U.S. Department of Justice has published thousands of files linked to Jeffrey Epstein, including a photograph showing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor reclining on the laps of unidentified women while Ghislaine Maxwell smiles in the background. The image, believed to have been taken at the royal estate in Sandringham, Norfolk, adds to ongoing scrutiny of the former prince's ties to Epstein.
Context of the release
The documents were made public late Friday under a congressional mandate requiring their disclosure by December 19. The heavily redacted files include photographs of Epstein's properties, his travel records, and notable figures such as former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson, and Mountbatten-Windsor. Former President Donald Trump is scarcely mentioned in the materials.
Photo details and reactions
The undated image of Mountbatten-Windsor, who appears significantly younger than his current age of 65, shows him with his eyes closed and a smile on his face. The women around him have been redacted with black squares. Another photograph places him at Royal Ascot alongside Epstein and Maxwell. Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein.
Separate images show his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, in the company of unidentified women, though no context is provided. Ferguson's representatives declined to comment on the photographs.
Broader fallout for the royal family
The release of the files intensifies pressure on the British royal family, which has already distanced itself from Mountbatten-Windsor. King Charles III stripped him of his remaining royal titles and patronage roles earlier this year amid mounting allegations about his association with Epstein. Mountbatten-Windsor, now known by his given name, is also expected to vacate his Windsor residence, Royal Lodge, in the near future.
Earlier this year, emails revealed that Mountbatten-Windsor maintained contact with Epstein longer than he had previously acknowledged. Virginia Giuffre, a key accuser of Epstein, reiterated in a posthumous memoir published in October that she was sexually assaulted by Mountbatten-Windsor on three occasions when she was a teenager. He has vehemently denied the allegations.
Congressional calls for testimony
U.S. Democratic lawmakers have urged Mountbatten-Windsor to testify before a congressional committee investigating Epstein's activities. He did not respond to the request by the committee's deadline last month.
Sarah Ferguson's connection
Two photographs of Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, were also included in the document release. One depicts her standing on a pavement next to an unidentified woman, while the other shows her seated on a sofa. Ferguson faced her own controversy earlier this year after a 2011 email surfaced in which she referred to Epstein as her "supreme friend." The revelation led multiple charities to sever ties with her.
Criticism over redactions
Democrats have criticized the extensive redactions in the files, arguing they undermine the transparency intended by the law. The White House, however, defended the Trump administration's handling of the release, stating it is the "most transparent in history." The Department of Justice has justified the redactions as necessary to protect victims.
"Simply appearing in the photos or documents is not evidence of wrongdoing," a spokesperson for the Department of Justice noted.
