Ghislaine Maxwell has reportedly confirmed the authenticity of the well-known photograph of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, previously known as Prince Andrew, alongside Virginia Giuffre.
Andrew lost his royal titles last October due to his association with Jeffrey Epstein and the allegations made by Virginia Giuffre, which she discusses in her memoir.
Giuffre has claimed that she was forced to have sexual encounters with Andrew on three occasions, allegations which the former prince has consistently denied.
A notorious photograph showing Andrew with an arm around a 17-year-old Giuffre at Maxwell’s Mayfair residence in London has circulated widely, with Andrew asserting that it was manipulated.
The Epstein files have provided more context, with Maxwell apparently confirming in a conversation with Epstein that the photograph was real.
In a statement prepared with Epstein, Maxwell wrote: “In 2001 I was in London when (redacted) met a number of friends of mine including Prince Andrew. A photograph was taken as I imagine she wanted to show it to friends and family. I never asked (redacted) to give him a massage.”
Maxwell added: “I am stating for the record as fact’ before adding: ‘Prince Andrew came to my house to visit me – (redacted) was in the house and they did meet.”
Currently serving a prison sentence for child sex trafficking, the 64-year-old claimed she had no knowledge of Giuffre engaging in any sexual activities with Andrew.
Epstein responded to the draft, expressing concern over ‘too many unanswered questions,’ but Maxwell insisted it be released ‘asap’ to counter what she termed ‘salacious claims’ against her.
She stated: “The allegations made against me by (redacted) are lies. I have consistently stated that they are untrue and I have waited for an opportunity to prove this in a court of law.”
Maxwell intended to undermine Giuffre’s allegations, stating: “The salacious claims she makes are untrue and made purely for financial gain. The relentless media harassment that I, Alan Dershowitz, and Prince Andrew have been subjected to over the last week has become intolerable and breaches any justifiable sense of natural justice.”
The documents in the Epstein files appear to contradict Maxwell’s previous statements regarding the photo. “It’s a fake. I don’t believe it’s real for a second, in fact I’m sure it’s not,” she told TalkTV in 2023.
“Well, there’s never been an original and further there’s no photograph, and I’ve only ever seen a photocopy of it.”