"Sexual Encounter at Royal Residence" Alleged... Former Prince Andrew Appears Again in Epstein Files

Photo Reveals Physical Contact with Woman
"Setting Resembles Epstein's New York Residence"

As the Jeffrey Epstein scandal surrounding the British royal family resurfaces, a photo has been released showing former Prince Andrew, the brother of King Charles III, touching a woman's body. In addition, allegations have surfaced that sexual contact took place at royal residences, including Buckingham Palace, further fueling the controversy.

Photo of Prince Andrew touching the body of an unidentified woman. AP=Yonhap News

On February 1 (local time), British media outlets such as the BBC and The Guardian reported that several photos featuring former Prince Andrew were included in the so-called "Epstein-related materials" additionally released by the U.S. Department of Justice at the end of last month. The photos show Andrew posing closely next to a woman lying on the floor indoors. The BBC noted that the setting in the photos resembles the interior of Epstein's New York residence, who was an American billionaire and convicted sex offender.

Following the release of these photos, major British media outlets including the BBC, The Guardian, and the Daily Mail highlighted the story as a major feature on their online platforms.

The newly released materials also contain evidence suggesting a close relationship between Andrew and Epstein. According to The New York Times, in an email sent to Andrew in 2010, Epstein introduced a 26-year-old Russian woman named Irina as "someone good to have dinner with," describing her as intelligent, attractive, and trustworthy.

In response, Andrew reportedly showed a positive attitude toward meeting the woman, asking what had been said about him and whether his email address had been shared, indicating active interest.

Another document revealed that Andrew offered to help Epstein negotiate a settlement when Epstein was in a difficult situation due to a dispute with an internal staff member, demonstrating a friendly stance. This suggests that their relationship continued even after Epstein was convicted of child sex offenses.

The materials also include records indicating that Epstein may have visited Buckingham Palace in September 2010. This was approximately two years after Epstein was convicted in a U.S. court for procuring a minor for prostitution.

Prince Andrew is seen looking around as he leaves after attending the Easter Martins service held last April at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. Photo by AP/The Yonhap News Agency

Testimony from a woman who claims to have had a sexual relationship with former Prince Andrew, arranged by Epstein, has also been newly mentioned. According to the BBC, the woman stated that Epstein sent her to the United Kingdom to meet Andrew, and that after spending a night at the Royal Lodge, which was Andrew's official residence at the time, she toured Buckingham Palace and was served tea. The BBC noted that this is the first time an Epstein case victim has alleged sexual contact at a royal residence.

Former Prince Andrew, the second son of Queen Elizabeth II and the brother of King Charles III, has long faced allegations that he had forced sexual relations with Virginia Giuffre, a former employee of Epstein, when she was a minor. He settled a civil lawsuit related to these allegations but denied any responsibility.

Amid ongoing controversy, Andrew withdrew from official royal duties in 2019 and was stripped of his military titles and the honorific "His Royal Highness." At the end of last year, he lost his princely title, the Duke of York title, and most of his major honors. He is now referred to as "Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor" instead of any official royal title. It is extremely rare for a prince to be stripped of his title in the United Kingdom; this is the first such case since World War I, when a royal family member lost their title for collaborating with an enemy nation.