Professor Stephen Hawking seen with two women in bikinis in new Epstein files photo

Professor Stephen Hawking has been pictured in the latest batch of Epstein files, released by the Department of Justice.

The astrophysicist can be seen laying down on a sun lounger next to two women in bikinis, holding what appear to be cocktails.

It's not clear when the photograph was taken or the context behind the image.

However, it is known that Hawking - who was mentioned in the files 250 times - traveled to the US Virgin Islands with a team of scientists in March 2006, to attend a conference.

The event, named the Energy of Empty Space That Isn’t Zero, was funded by Epstein.

Hawking's name features in the files 250 times (Bruno Vincent/Getty Images)

Hawking's name appears in one email dating back to 2015, which was sent by Epstein to Ghislaine Maxwell.

In the email, he suggested a financial incentive to anyone who could disprove an allegation against Hawking.

The email read: "You can issue a reward to any of virginias friends acquaionts [sic] family that come forward and help prove her allegations are false. The strongest is the clinton dinner, and the new version in the virgin isalnds that stven hawking partica-ted in an underage orgy."

Virginia Giuffre, who famously accused Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor of sexual assault, never directly accused Hawking of any wrongdoing.

It's also important to note that being included in the Epstein files does not imply any wrongdoing.

The image was included in the latest Epstein files (Kypros/Getty Images)

In the latest developments surrounding the former prince, Thames Valley Police confirmed in a statement on Tuesday (February 24) that the search of the Royal Lodge in Berkshire had been concluded following Andrew's arrest, though the investigation remains 'ongoing'.

Authorities said in a statement last week they had arrested a man in his sixties 'on suspicion of misconduct in public office and are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk'.

Oliver Wright, Assistant Chief Constable at Thames Valley Police, added on Tuesday: "Officers have now left the location we have been searching in Berkshire. This concludes the search activity that commenced following our arrest of a man in his sixties from Norfolk on Thursday.

Andrew was arrested and later released (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

"We understand the significant public interest in this case and our investigation remains ongoing.

"It is important that our investigators are given the time and space to progress their work. We will provide updates when it is appropriate to do so, but this is unlikely to be for some time."

UNILAD has reached out to Hawking's estate for comment.