What happened when Andrew invited Epstein to Sandringham

After all, Sandringham represented everything the late Queen held dear.

It was his Christmas retreat and the private property where his grandfather George V made his first wireless broadcast in 1932. This was where the family gathered after Christmas lunch. This is where protocol definitely matters.

This was the royal estate where he would celebrate the anniversary of his accession each year and quietly return to the place where his beloved father, George VI, had passed away in 1952.

But when access was granted, Andrew abused the privilege.

It all came to light when a photograph emerged from the so-called “Epstein files”, documents released by the US justice department that represent the largest amount of information ever released about Jeffrey Epstein, a pedophile later convicted of sex trafficking, and his high-profile associates. The photo shows former prince Andrew (now stripped of his royal titles) wearing a black tie, leaning on the laps of several women. Even though his eyes are closed, he’s smiling in the lounge at Sandringham.

Ghislaine Maxwell towers above, looks down and grins.

The identities of women remain in the dark. But convicted sex trafficker Maxwell persists. The woman, who is currently sentenced to 20 years in prison in the United States, can still be identified.

Andrew, who was given management of the place for a weekend, repurposed it for organized debauchery.

“He was also your guest in 2000,” Maitlis continued. news night report. “Epstein was a guest at Windsor Castle and Sandringham. At your invitation, he was brought into the heart of the royal family.”

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Obnoxious and smug, Andrew tried to change direction. “Of course, at my invitation, not at the invitation of the royal family. But remember, the key element in this was his girlfriend. She was a plus one, in a way.”

Andrew tried to catch her off guard with fake palace protocol. One plus one. Even more ridiculous, documents from the Dance of the Decades, an event held at Windsor Castle in June to celebrate several significant birthdays of the royal family, revealed otherwise. Maxwell and Epstein received separate invitations as only married or engaged couples were guests at royal properties. However, the unmarried couple was given permission to enter the inner sanctum by Andrew.

This was nothing more than a simple shooting party.

Under normal circumstances, when Charles organized filming at Sandringham, the participants were usually wealthy, titled landowners; for example, the late Gerald Grosvenor, 6th Duke of Westminster; Nicholas Soames and Sir Nicholas Bacon were also regulars with their wives. However, according to them, the only “extras” offered in their bathrooms were the special soaps and bath oils from Highgrove.

Drinks in the guest room include staples such as sloe gin, whiskey and sherry. Etiquette and continuity were observed.

Another regular was Constantine Tino, the late and exiled King of Greece. By swinging dangerously over the line (passing the target before firing), it discouraged other weapons; this was a cardinal sin in shooting. Unlike the other guests, when she first met Charles, she did not stand up and salute because he was a king and technically she had surpassed him.

But at Andrew’s shooting in December 2000, the situation was very different. The guests reflected Andrew’s dim circle. Gift baskets indicated the uncontroversial nature of the meeting.

As Duke of York, Andrew had access rights to Sandringham. Rights are different from property. The Queen retained the title.

However, the financial side of the matter is worth examining. Who approved bath baskets? It’s still unknown, but someone signed it. It was clear that sex toys and poppers were not routine necessities.

Epstein had previously bankrolled Andrew, financing yacht trips to Thailand where he posed for photos with topless women.

Andrew was behaving as if Sandringham was his private domain and sources say he was more arrogant than ever.

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He polluted a valuable residence. Privilege was exploited for excess.

The household there was horrified. Sandringham embodied their principles. Andrew hurt his standing. The gift baskets in the bathrooms were bad enough.

Robert Jobson is an author, broadcaster and former royal correspondent who has been at the forefront of reporting on the royal family for three decades.

Telegraph, London

Support is available from the National Sexual Assault Domestic Violence Advisory Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).

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