Andrew's Final Epstein Visit: Victoria's Secret Model & Lavish Celebrity Dinner
Damning documents released by United States investigators have shed new light on Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's movements during a controversial December 2010 trip to New York City, where he spent five days with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The newly emerged evidence appears to contradict the prince's previous claims about the nature and purpose of his visit.
Contradictory Claims About Cutting Ties
Prince Andrew had previously asserted in a 2019 BBC interview that he traveled to New York specifically to sever connections with Epstein following the financier's conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution. However, the recently released documents paint a markedly different picture of a social weekend filled with celebrity encounters and leisurely activities.
The disgraced prince has consistently denied any wrongdoing regarding allegations of sexual misconduct, but the detailed records of his movements during this visit raise significant questions about his version of events.
Lavish Manhattan Dinner Party
Among the most revealing disclosures is the account of a grand dinner party hosted at Epstein's £60 million Manhattan residence on December 2, 2010. The guest list included numerous high-profile figures from entertainment and media circles.
Notable attendees included:
- Film director Woody Allen and his wife Soon Yi Previn
- Comedian Chelsea Handler
- Talk show host Charlie Rose
- Television anchor Katie Couric
- Former White House communications director George Stephanopoulos
Email correspondence between Epstein and publicist Peggy Siegal reveals meticulous planning for the event, including discussions about "gold ballroom chairs" and floral arrangements. Siegal later described the evening as "sensational" in her communications with Epstein.
Detailed Social Calendar Emerges
The documents outline a packed schedule of social engagements throughout Andrew's five-day stay. On December 4, Epstein and Andrew went shopping together at the upscale Barneys department store before having lunch with Faith Kates, founder of NEXT Model Management.
That same afternoon, Epstein arranged for a driver to collect Latvian model Lana Zakocela, then aged 21, from John F. Kennedy International Airport. Epstein informed her he would accommodate her for "one or two nights" during her stay.
Business Discussions and Further Socializing
Epstein also attempted to arrange multiple business meetings during Andrew's visit, including a video conference with Senegalese politician Karim Wade to discuss "opportunities in Africa" and proposed meetings with former Barclays CEO Jes Staley.
Email exchanges reveal Epstein invited Woody Allen and Soon Yi Previn for "Sunday bagels" on December 5, followed by a walk through Central Park with Andrew, during which they were photographed together.
Another lunch was organized for the following day with Epstein, Andrew, and Valerie Post. Epstein's email inquired: "Want to come for lunch 1-2. Andrew and the daughter of the Australian prime minister, or 5.30 for a repeat of yesterday."
Supermodel Connections and High-Profile References
In correspondence with CEO Jes Staley, Epstein wrote: "Naiomi [sic] and boyfriend coming for dinner at 9 if you want," which is believed to reference supermodel Naomi Campbell according to media reports. Another email referencing the same evening mentioned: "Bill Gates will be here."
Prince Andrew is believed to have flown home late on December 6, but contrary to his claims of cutting ties, an email from December 22 shows him wishing Epstein a "wonderful Christmas" and expressing that he was "looking forward to joining you all again soon." The prince even referred to Epstein and his associates as "my US family" in the communication.
Aftermath and Public Statements
When challenged during his 2019 Newsnight interview about his decision to stay with a convicted sex offender, Andrew stated: "It was a convenient place to stay. I mean I've gone through this in my mind so many times."
He continued: "At the end of the day, with the benefit of all the hindsight that one can have, it was definitely the wrong thing to do. But at the time I felt it was the honourable and right thing to do and I admit fully that my judgment was probably coloured by my tendency to be too honourable but that's just the way it is."
The newly released documents from the so-called Epstein files provide unprecedented detail about the social connections and activities during Andrew's controversial visit, raising further questions about the nature of his relationship with the convicted financier and the accuracy of his public statements regarding their association.
