Allegations about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s links to Jeffrey Epstein have unfolded over several years – and in several pictures. Here is how they have come to public attention and kept pressure on the royal family.
The Picture with ‘No Innocent Explanation’
A photograph taken in 2001, but not made public for a decade, continues to generate fallout. The image, taken by Epstein, depicts Mountbatten-Windsor with his arm around a 17-year-classic Virginia Giuffre, with Ghislaine Maxwell standing beside them. This placed Andrew in a situation involving a girl who later claimed he sexually abused her while she was a minor.
Wendy Murphy, a former sex crimes prosecutor, said the pose had “no innocent explanation.” For years, Andrew insisted he believed the picture had been doctored. However, emails released this year appeared to contradict that claim.
In 2022, Mountbatten-Windsor settled a civil case brought by Giuffre in New York alleging sexual assault on three occasions, though he made no admission of liability and has always denied the allegations.
The Walk in the Park
In 2011, the News of the World published a photograph of Mountbatten-Windsor strolling with Epstein in New York, asking, “Just what is the 4th in line to the throne doing meeting a convicted child-sex pervert … even if he is a billionaire?” Epstein had been convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor two years prior.
Mountbatten-Windsor later stated he visited Epstein to conclude their association, believing it was the honorable thing to do.
However, an email surfaced revealing he wrote to Epstein in 2011, upon publication of the Giuffre photograph, stating: “We are in this together” and “Keep in close touch and we’ll play some more soon.”
The Female on the Floor
The US justice department recently released over 3 million documents related to the Epstein case, including pictures of Mountbatten-Windsor crouching over an unidentified female lying on the floor.
In one image, he has his hand on the female’s stomach. In another, he is seen smiling and kneeling above her, looking at the camera with his hands resting on her torso. The images are undated and do not indicate wrongdoing.
The Arrest
On Thursday, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, younger brother of King Charles, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The Reuters caption noted this was the first arrest of a senior royal since Charles I in 1647.
Photographer Phil Noble captured an image of Mountbatten-Windsor leaving Aylsham police station after being held for over 10 hours and released under investigation. Reuters reported that of six frames taken, one captured “the unprecedented nature of the moment: for the first time in modern history, a senior royal was being treated as a common criminal.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the significance of the 2010 photograph of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Jeffrey Epstein?
The photograph, taken in 2010, raised questions about Mountbatten-Windsor’s judgment given Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
What did Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor say about the photograph with Virginia Giuffre?
For years, Andrew insisted he believed the photograph had been doctored. However, emails released in 2025 appeared to contradict that claim.
When was Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested?
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Given the recent arrest and the continued release of information related to this case, what further developments might we expect to see in the coming months?
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