The public has scrutinized the relationship between Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein. This increased scrutiny came after Prince Andrew was accused of participating in Epstein’s sex trafficking enterprise. This timeline details the major events that created the narrative linking them together and the disastrous aftermath.
Prince Andrew’s first meeting with Jeffrey Epstein took place in the early 1990s. That’s according to Alastair Watson, who served as Prince Andrew’s private secretary for nine years and was the source on this story. Their relationship had apparently evolved into a friendship that would last more than twenty years. From there, in 2001, the prince took his inaugural trip to Epstein’s Manhattan apartment. On this visit, Prince Andrew reportedly groped Johanna Sjoberg’s breast while she was sitting on a couch.
In 2014, Virginia Giuffre her story of horrendous abuse by Epstein and Prince Andrew, finally making the allegations public. Giuffre claimed that Epstein trafficked her when she was as young as 17. She was forced to have sex with Prince Andrew on three different instances. The very first of these encounters is said to have occurred in March 2001 at Ghislaine Maxwell’s London townhouse. Later incidents allegedly took place at Epstein’s New York City mansion and his personal Caribbean island.
Giuffre alleges that Epstein paid her $15,000 to have sex with Prince Andrew. She brought this charge successfully in a civil suit against Ghislaine Maxwell. During the ongoing investigations and legal proceedings, Prince Andrew has maintained his innocence, consistently denying any wrongdoing or involvement in criminal activity.
Epstein’s former housekeeper, Juan Alessi, revealed that Prince Andrew received “daily massages” at Epstein’s Florida home. This new piece of information deepens the intrigue of their relationship and into just how deep Prince Andrew’s dealings with Epstein went.
On April 11, 2001, Prince Andrew and Epstein flew together in Epstein’s private jet to the US Virgin Islands. This trip helped cement their bond as international outrage increased over Epstein’s criminal behavior. He announced in December 2010 that he cut all connections with Epstein. Emails from the months and years following show that wasn’t quite the case. In one email, Prince Andrew informed Epstein “we are in this together” — a claim at odds with the prince’s repeated public denials about their association.
In November 2019, Prince Andrew succumbed to public pressure and the serious allegations leveled against him. With Queen Elizabeth II’s permission, he withdrew from public life “for the foreseeable future.” This decision came shortly after a disastrous interview with the BBC, where he attempted to explain his relationship with Epstein but ultimately failed to quell public concern.
On October 17, 2022, Prince Andrew announced that he would no longer use his Duke of York title, stating, “With His Majesty’s agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.”
According to one U.S. prosecutor, Prince Andrew has provided “zero co-operation” in the continuing Epstein sex trafficking investigation. This accusation comes even as Prince Andrew continues to deny his improper conduct. In addition to these allegations, Prince Andrew recently agreed to a “settlement in principle” over a civil suit filed by Virginia Giuffre. This settlement, rumoured to be worth £12.5 million, contained no admission of wrongdoing by the prince.
We are deeply saddened to note that Virginia Giuffre passed away in Neergabby, Western Australia at the age of 41. Her death has already raised troubling new questions about the extent of the damage these false allegations have wrought. It further illustrates the wider impact of Epstein’s infamous network.
Prince Andrew’s sordid ties to the likes of Jeffrey Epstein persist, putting an uncomfortable pall over his public existence and royal legacy. Investigations into Epstein’s operations are still continuing. Thanks to the courageous victims who have gone public with their stories, the former prince’s ties to this very controversial person are continuing to make headlines.
