Ghislaine Maxwell finally addresses infamous photo of Andrew and Virginia Giuffre in Epstein files

Ghislaine Maxwell has seemingly confirmed the authenticity of the infamous photo taken of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, and Virginia Giuffre.

Andrew was stripped of his royal titles in October last year due to his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, as well as allegations made by Virginia Giuffre in her new memoir. Giuffre alleged she was made to have sex with Andrew on three separate occasions, something the former prince has long denied.

An infamous photo of Andrew with his arm around the waist of a 17-year-old Giuffre at Maxwell’s home in Mayfair, London, has been in the public domain for a while, with Andrew having maintained that the photo was doctored.

The latest batch of Epstein files to be released, which included over three million documents related to the former financier, referenced the photo and discussed its apparent authenticity.

Andrew has long denied any wrongdoing (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

In the files, Maxwell seemingly confirmed to Epstein that the photo did happen.

Penning in a statement drafted with her former lover, Maxwell wrote: "In 2001 I was in London when (redacted) met a number of friends of mine including Prince Andrew. A photograph was taken as I imagine she wanted to show it to friends and family. I never asked (redacted) to give him a massage."

Maxwell continued: "I am stating for the record as fact" before adding: "Prince Andrew came to my house to visit me – (redacted) was in the house and they did meet."

The 64-year-old, who's currently in prison for child sex trafficking offences, went on to claim she had 'no knowledge' of Giuffre 'having sexual activity' with Andrew.

Epstein replied to the draft statement claiming there were 'too many unanswered questions', but Maxwell insisted it needed to go out 'asap' so she could address what she called the 'salacious claims' against her.

She continued: "The allegations made against me by (redacted) are lies. I have consistently stated that they are untrue and I have waited for an opportunity to prove this in a court of law."

The draft email was released as part of the Epstein files (Department of Justice)

Maxwell had then planned to discredit Giuffre's claims, stating: "The salacious claims she makes are untrue and made purely for financial gain. The relentless media harassment to which I, Alan Dershowitz and Prince Andrew have been subjected to over the last week has become intolerable and breaches any justifiable sense of natural justice."

The documents in the Epstein files contradicts what Maxwell has previously said about the photo.

"It’s a fake. I don’t believe it’s real for a second, in fact I’m sure it’s not," she told TalkTV in 2023.

"Well, there’s never been an original and further there’s no photograph, and I’ve only ever seen a photocopy of it."