Ghislaine Maxwell was introduced as Prince Andrew’s ex at 2002 palace party

Prince Andrew has previously said he was not close to Ghislaine Maxwell. A source now says that’s not true.

Ghislaine Maxwell was introduced as Prince Andrew’s ex-girlfriend on a Buckingham Palace tour — despite his denials they were close.

A photo published by The Sun shows him and the convicted sex trafficker, 60, with former US president Bill Clinton in the background.

The Duke of York is pointing, while another woman with Maxwell wears a T-shirt reading: “God Save The Queen.”

Prince Andrew, 61, denied being a close pal of Maxwell in legal papers filed as a response to Virginia Giuffre, 38, who is suing him for alleged sexual assault.

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Prince Andrew has previously denied being close to Ghislaine Maxwell. Picture: Steve Parsons/AFP

Prince Andrew is being sued for sex assault by Virginia Giuffre. Picture: AFP

But a member of the Palace tour party in 2002 told The Sun on Sunday: “Ghislaine was described to me as an ex-girlfriend of Andrew.

“The impression we all had was that there was some relationship there. They clearly knew each other very well. She was very friendly and cheery.”

Maxwell and disgraced actor Kevin Spacey were also seen sat on thrones smirking.

The source added: “We walked in the main gates and Ghislaine showed us where we needed to be. She knew her way around.”

The picture was taken 18 months after Prince Andrew is alleged to have had sex with 17-year-old Virginia at Maxwell’s London home.

It shows Prince Andrew, Maxwell, Mr Clinton and the woman in the ballroom.

Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted of sex trafficking for Jeffrey Epstein. Picture: Rob Kim/Getty

They were also in the throne room where Maxwell and Spacey sat on Chairs of Estate used for the 1953 coronation.

The former US President had spent the previous week on a tour of Africa with Maxwell and Spacey — who has apologised for his behaviour with a 14-year-old boy but not been convicted of any crime.

Prince Andrew denies sexual abuse and promised to fight Virginia’s claims in a US court.

Maxwell faces 40 years’ jail for trafficking victims for billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Prince Andrew’s spokeswoman declined to comment.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced here with permission

Originally published as Ghislaine Maxwell was introduced as Prince Andrew’s ex at 2002 palace party