The release of new documents from the Jeffrey Epstein case has cast a stark new light on the depth of the disgraced financier's connections within the highest echelons of British royalty. Photographs included in the files show Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's former girlfriend, and Epstein himself in the private inner sanctums of the Royal Family, prompting fresh scrutiny and expert analysis.
Photographs from the Heart of the Monarchy
Two images in particular have drawn significant attention. One photograph, seemingly taken in the saloon at Sandringham, shows Ghislaine Maxwell smiling behind a row of women whose identities have been redacted. Prince Andrew appears to be lying across their laps, grinning broadly. Another image captures Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein in the countryside near the Balmoral Estate in Scotland, apparently engaged in a shooting outing.
These locations are not public venues. Balmoral, the late Queen Elizabeth II's cherished summer retreat, is privately owned by the monarch and represents the family's most intimate holiday space. Sandringham, another privately held estate, is the traditional setting for the Royal Family's Christmas celebrations. The presence of the convicted sex offender and his accomplice in these spaces underscores the access they were granted.
Expert Points to 'Revealing' Image and Unanswered Questions
Royal biographer Andrew Lownie, author of a biography on Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, told the Mirror that the images intensify pressure on King Charles to maintain his "distance" from his brother and ex-sister-in-law. However, Lownie suggested a different photograph was the most telling.
"I think what’s more revealing is the picture of Fergie," Lownie stated. "Why have they taken out that person with her? Who was she?" He pointed to the redacted figure beside the Duchess of York in another file image, arguing that Sarah Ferguson's links to Epstein have "never really been fully investigated."
Lownie questioned how much she knew, given her frequent stays at Epstein's properties, and why she has not been asked to give testimony. He referenced a 2011 email from Epstein alleging that Ferguson brought her daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, to "celebrate" his release from prison in 2008—a claim sources close to the Duchess and her daughters deny remembering.
Scrutiny on Ferguson's Conduct and Andrew's Future
The expert was critical of Sarah Ferguson's judgment, describing her as having "a pretty loose set of morals." He highlighted the contradiction between her public work with children's charities and her private associations, noting she remained in contact with Epstein longer than publicly acknowledged. An email from 2011, which emerged this year, showed her calling Epstein a "supreme friend" and apologising for previously criticising him.
Regarding Prince Andrew, Lownie noted the images confirm he was "entertaining all sorts of people at Sandringham." The documents add to the damaging material surrounding the Duke, who was stripped of his royal titles and military affiliations in 2022. Andrew is poised to move from Royal Lodge to a property on the Sandringham Estate, though not the main house. Sarah Ferguson is not expected to join him, with reports suggesting her daughters have offered her a home.
Lownie concluded that while the latest revelations were anticipated, future correspondence could prove more explosive, particularly if it suggests Princess Beatrice and Eugenie "knew much more than they are claiming." The House Committee overseeing the document release has stressed that being named does not indicate wrongdoing, with names appearing in contexts ranging from social contact to business discussions. Nevertheless, the visual evidence of access to the monarchy's most private spaces ensures the scandal remains firmly in the spotlight.
