Inside Epstein's Controversial Visit to Sandringham at the Invitation of Ex-Prince Andrew

The event reportedly included gift baskets filled with sex paraphernalia and drugs — raising serious questions about the nature of the gathering and who authorised it.

When Emily Maitlis questioned Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on whether he had hosted a birthday party for Ghislaine Maxwell — Jeffrey Epstein's longtime partner — at Sandringham, his response was swift and pointed.

"No, it was a shooting weekend," he said during his now-notorious 2019 BBC "Newsnight" interview. "Just a straightforward shooting weekend."

But that word — straightforward — seemed woefully misplaced. According to shocked palace staff, the December 2000 gathering that coincided with Maxwell's 39th birthday bore little resemblance to a traditional countryside shoot.

Staff Stunned by Party Bags of a Different Kind

Typically, shooting weekend guests might expect modest luxury — soaps, towels, perhaps monogrammed stationery.

But during this particular weekend, staff encountered gift baskets filled not with the usual amenities, but with sex toys, lubricant, exotic condoms, and poppers — a drug known to enhance sexual experiences.

These items were reportedly not hidden away, but distributed openly in guest rooms, presented like party favours upon arrival.

Staff described the contents as "shocking," particularly in contrast to more formal royal events, such as those hosted by King Charles III (then Prince of Wales), where gift baskets contained toiletries and spa products — never sex paraphernalia.

According to "The Windsor Legacy" by Robert Jobson, a palace insider confirmed the account, stating that "staff were stunned to discover the bathrooms were stocked not only with toiletries, but poppers, lube, and condoms."

The implication was unavoidable — someone with authority inside Sandringham had sanctioned the handouts.

Jeffrey Epstein – The Silent Plus-One

Though Epstein was not photographed during the weekend, he was understood to have attended, accompanying Maxwell. At the time, the American financier had already faced scrutiny in the US for his behaviour.

However, his most egregious crimes had yet to be fully exposed. Still, in the "Newsnight" interview, Mountbatten-Windsor distanced the invitation from the royal family, revealing:

"But certainly at my invitation, not at the Royal Family's invitation but remember that it was his girlfriend that was the key element in this."

He also minimised Epstein's presence, describing him as a "plus one," with Maxwell being the main guest. That phrasing did little to shield the former royal from later criticism, particularly as evidence of Epstein's abuse of more than 1,200 girls and women came to light.

Defences That Didn't Land

During the interview, Mountbatten-Windsor maintained that he had no awareness of Epstein's criminal activities at the time. "There was no indication to me or anybody else that that was what he was doing," he insisted.

These files, though heavily redacted, offered a disturbing look into the billionaire's reach.

He further cited his role as patron of the NSPCC's Full Stop campaign, a position that, he argued, should have made him sensitive to signs of child abuse. "I knew what the things were to look for," he said, "but I never saw them."

However, the former prince's explanation rang hollow for many, especially in light of the string of visits he made to Epstein's properties in the US over the years and the growing number of allegations against the financier, Maxwell, and eventually Mountbatten-Windsor himself.

The Giuffre Lawsuit and Settlement

In February 2022, Mountbatten-Windsor reached an out-of-court settlement in a US civil case brought by Virginia Giuffre, who alleged she was sexually abused by the former royal on three occasions when she was 17 years old. The settlement did not include any admission of guilt.

A joint statement from both parties confirmed the case had been settled "in principle," and that Mountbatten-Windsor would make a substantial donation to Giuffre's charity supporting victims' rights.

Though the settlement sum was officially undisclosed, international legal experts estimated the cost to be more than £7 million, not including Mountbatten-Windsor's own legal fees, likely running into millions more.

New DOJ Files Add Fuel to the Fire

By December 2025, following Mountbatten-Windsor's out-of-court settlement, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) released a sprawling cache of documents related to Epstein's operations.

This included court records, House disclosures, and materials obtained via the Freedom of Information Act. These files, though heavily redacted, offered a disturbing look into the billionaire's reach.

Several other high-profile figures cropped up, including former US President Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, and Sir Mick Jagger.

However, many documents were unreadable due to large sections being blacked out — including entire pages — while search functions on the site were reportedly non-functional. At least some redactions have since been confirmed to be in place to protect Epstein's victims.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's Image Tarnished Further

Among the files were photographs of Mountbatten-Windsor, including one in which he appeared lying across the laps of five unidentified women, their faces redacted with black squares. Maxwell stood behind him in the image.

Other images captured her and Epstein enjoying hunting trips at Balmoral and standing on the steps of 10 Downing Street — indicating just how deeply embedded they had become in the highest levels of British society.

Michael Jackson, Sir Mick Jagger, and Other Celebrity Faces

Also pictured in the files was Sarah Ferguson, Mountbatten-Windsor's ex-wife. One image showed her with women whose faces had also been redacted. Ferguson has denied any wrongdoing and has expressed deep regret for her past association with Epstein.

Another image showed Sir Richard Branson, now aged 75, in a tropical setting beside the American billionaire, wearing a white T-shirt and swimwear. Branson has appeared in previous file releases and has denied any wrongdoing, with no allegations made against him.

Several other high-profile figures cropped up, including former US President Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, and Sir Mick Jagger.

In one photo, Jagger appeared at a dinner seated next to Clinton and Maxwell. None of these celebrities have been accused of criminal behaviour in connection with Epstein.

What Remains Unsaid

For Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the scandal has been far from "straightforward." His efforts to distance himself — from Epstein, from responsibility, and from public scrutiny — have only deepened public suspicion.

Despite his insistence that he knew nothing, the optics of the Sandringham weekend, the alleged lavish gift baskets, and his visible presence in the newly released 2025 files paint a picture that continues to clash with his narrative.

What truly happened at Sandringham in December 2000 remains partially unanswered, but the image of a straightforward shooting weekend has been all but obliterated.