The release of the first batch of documents from the Jeffrey Epstein case has ignited a firestorm of global scrutiny. Journalists and the public are diving deep into the newly unsealed material, with a particular focus once again falling on Britain's Prince Andrew, a figure long entangled in the scandal.
Controversial Photo Emerges from Royal Setting
Among the documents, a photograph published by the Daily Mail has drawn intense attention. The image reportedly shows the former Prince Andrew smiling for the camera while reclining across the laps of several unidentified women. Ghislaine Maxwell is seen standing nearby, observing the scene. The identities of the women are protected by US government lawyers, and the photo was released without details about when it was taken or the exact context.
The location of the photograph, however, has amplified the controversy. The Daily Mail identified the room as the historic saloon room inside Sandringham Palace in Norfolk. This space is traditionally a private family area for the Royal Family, famously used by the monarch to host relatives during Christmas. It is where the family gathers to watch the monarch's pre-recorded Christmas Day broadcast, a tradition dating to Queen Elizabeth II's reign. Beyond the holidays, the room serves as a communal space for watching television and family gatherings.
Also visible in the image is a concealed door within the saloon that leads to the room where King George V delivered his first Christmas radio broadcast in 1932.
Connections to a 2000 Birthday and Shooting Weekend
While the photo lacks direct context, it is known that Prince Andrew hosted a surprise birthday party for Ghislaine Maxwell at the King's private Norfolk estate in December 2000. In his infamous 2019 BBC Newsnight interview, Andrew described the event to journalist Emily Maitlis as a "straightforward shooting weekend."
Around that same period, Epstein and Maxwell were photographed attending a pheasant shoot on the Norfolk estate, further linking them to royal surroundings.
Historian Makes Explosive Claims About Palace Conduct
This is not the first time royal properties have been connected to Andrew's associations. Historian Andrew Lownie, in an interview with NewsNation’s Paula Froelich, made startling allegations. He claimed that Andrew "brought in prostitutes to Buckingham Palace for years" on a regular basis.
Lownie stated that palace staff who complained were allegedly threatened with reassignment to silence them. He also asserted that the late Queen Elizabeth II was aware of her son's behaviour. "Of course the Queen knew. She was informed. But he was her favourite son, and he got away with everything. They brushed it under the rug. Until now," Lownie added.
The release of these documents ensures the Epstein scandal and its connections to high-profile figures like Prince Andrew will remain under the global spotlight, raising persistent questions about accountability and the use of privileged spaces.
