Epstein Victim Testifies She Dined at Prince Andrew’s Palace

A victim of Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking network testified before US Congress members on Tuesday that she attended dinner at Prince Andrew’s apartment in Buckingham Palace, marking the first time a woman abused by the late financier has publicly spoken of being taken to royal residences.

The testimony came during a hearing examining reforms to combat child sexual exploitation. The woman, whose identity hasn’t been publicly disclosed, told lawmakers she was brought to the palace apartment when she was a teenager. She described the encounter as part of the broader pattern of abuse she suffered while being trafficked by Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

First Public Account of Palace Visits

Until now, allegations connecting Epstein’s victims to royal properties have circulated primarily through court documents and media reports. But this marks the first occasion a victim has spoken directly to government officials about such visits. The woman’s testimony didn’t specify the exact year of the dinner, though she indicated it occurred during the period when Epstein and Maxwell maintained close social ties with the Duke of York.

Prince Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing. In 2022, he settled a civil lawsuit brought by Virginia Giuffre, who alleged she was forced to have sex with him on three occasions when she was 17. The settlement included no admission of liability, and Andrew has maintained he never met Giuffre.

Congressional Push for Reform

The hearing focused on strengthening protections for trafficking victims and closing legal loopholes that allow predators to operate. Representatives from both parties attended the session, which lasted approximately three hours and included testimony from five survivors and three policy experts.

„These brave survivors are helping us understand the sophisticated networks that enabled this abuse,” said one Congressional aide familiar with the proceedings. „Their testimony is crucial for developing effective legislation.”

Ongoing Legal Ramifications

Epstein died by suicide in his Manhattan jail cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year sentence after being convicted in 2021 of recruiting and grooming teenage girls for abuse.

Yet the fallout continues.

Prince Andrew stepped back from public duties in 2019 following a disastrous BBC interview about his friendship with Epstein. He was stripped of his military titles and royal patronages by Queen Elizabeth II in 2022. So far, Buckingham Palace hasn’t commented on the latest testimony, and representatives for the Duke of York didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.

Congressional members indicated the testimony would inform upcoming legislation aimed at strengthening victim support systems and increasing accountability for those who facilitate trafficking networks. The committee is expected to release a formal report on its findings within the next 60 days.