The depth of Prince Andrew’s entanglement with convicted criminals has been dramatically underscored by a new report revealing that the Duke of York hosted an extraordinary assembly of scandal-plagued figures at his royal residence, Royal Lodge, in the lead-up to a major Windsor Castle celebration.
Reports indicate that in the summer of 2006, the Duke entertained the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, his confidante and accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, and disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein—all at the Windsor estate property he occupies through a lease from the Crown.
The gathering reportedly took place just before Princess Beatrice’s lavish 18th birthday masked ball at Windsor Castle, drawing a sharp focus on the casual access to royal settings enjoyed by individuals who would later be convicted of heinous sex offenses.
The Night Before the Ball
According to sources, the trio of Epstein, Maxwell, and Weinstein—all figures whose names have become synonymous with abuse and predation—were hosted at Royal Lodge, Andrew’s official residence since 2004. Evidence supporting the claim reportedly includes a previously published photograph of Epstein, Maxwell, and Weinstein, which journalists have now matched to the distinctive architecture and landscaping of the Royal Lodge property.
This revelation highlights a stunning lack of judgment in the Duke’s selection of personal company, demonstrating a proximity to high-level figures accused of sexual abuse that extended beyond his admitted friendship with Epstein.
While Prince Andrew has repeatedly denied any knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and has settled a civil sexual assault lawsuit brought by one of Epstein’s victims, Virginia Giuffre, the presence of Maxwell and Weinstein at his residence only a decade and a half ago intensifies the existing scrutiny on his associations. Ghislaine Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking, and Harvey Weinstein is serving a lengthy sentence for sexual offenses.
A Royal ‘Safe Harbour’
The news has immediately intensified pressure on Buckingham Palace and the Crown Estate—Andrew’s landlord—to address the Duke’s continued occupation of Royal Lodge. The 30-room mansion, where Andrew has lived with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, has been a source of ongoing controversy regarding its upkeep and the low rent paid by the Duke.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey is now publicly demanding a select committee inquiry into how the Crown Estate has “managed” its support for the disgraced former royal, suggesting a fresh political reckoning for the monarchy’s handling of the Andrew crisis.
“The monarchy is coming under increasing pressure to resolve the issue of Andrew,” a source close to the Palace noted, as King Charles III was reportedly heckled during a recent public engagement with questions about “Andrew and Epstein.”
The report of hosting the “unholy trinity” of convicted criminals not only revives the darkest aspects of the Epstein scandal but also brings Weinstein’s notoriety directly into the orbit of a prominent royal residence, transforming Royal Lodge from a private home into a stark symbol of the Duke’s deeply troubling network. As the royal family struggles to carve out a modern identity, the specter of these gatherings on the Windsor estate will serve as a powerful and enduring reminder of the judgment that brought a royal career to a ruinous end.