A second woman has alleged that she was sent by Jeffrey Epstein to the United Kingdom for a sexual encounter with Prince Andrew in 2010, her lawyer Brad Edwards revealed, marking the first such claim involving a royal residence.
The woman, who is not British and was in her twenties at the time, claims she spent the night with Andrew at his home, Royal Lodge, in Windsor. After the alleged encounter, she says she was given a tour of Buckingham Palace and tea, according to Edwards, who spoke to the BBC. This allegation adds a new dimension to the Epstein scandal, which has long implicated the British royal family.
Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted paedophile who died by suicide in 2019, was known for trafficking women and girls for sexual purposes. The woman’s account is the first from an Epstein survivor to allege a sexual encounter at a royal property, raising fresh questions about Andrew’s conduct. Andrew, 65, has consistently denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein, including previous claims by Virginia Giuffre.
Brad Edwards, a Florida-based attorney who represented Giuffre, is now considering filing a civil lawsuit on behalf of the second woman. Giuffre had accused Andrew of sexual abuse on multiple occasions between 2001 and 2002, settling her case in 2022 for an estimated £12 million before taking her own life last year. Edwards represents over 200 Epstein survivors worldwide and has been vocal about seeking justice for them.
The allegation comes amid Andrew’s diminished royal status. In October last year, King Charles stripped Andrew of his royal titles and military affiliations and instructed him to leave Royal Lodge, his residence since 2004. Edwards argues that this move has allowed Andrew to claim he has no financial resources to compensate victims, thereby hindering their pursuit of redress.
Edwards stated that he had communicated with legal counsel for Andrew, but these discussions stopped after the title removal. Buckingham Palace has expressed sympathy for abuse victims, saying in a statement that their thoughts are with survivors, but has not directly addressed the new claim. The BBC noted that it could not verify the Palace tour without revealing the woman’s identity, as guest records are kept but confidential.
The case underscores the ongoing fallout from the Epstein scandal, with a BBC investigation finding that Epstein trafficked women into the UK via commercial flights and private jets. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has suggested that Andrew should testify to the US Congress, highlighting the political ramifications. The royal family continues to grapple with the reputational damage, as new revelations periodically emerge.
Looking ahead, Edwards is weighing legal action, which could lead to another high-profile lawsuit against Andrew. This potential case emphasizes the challenges faced by Epstein survivors in seeking accountability and closure. As the scandal persists, it remains a significant issue for the monarchy and society at large, with implications for how institutions address historical abuse allegations.
