Prince Andrew invited Jeffrey Epstein to Beatrice’s 18th birthday after warrant issued

Jeffrey Epstein was invited to Andrew’s daughter’s 18th birthday party after warrant for sexual assault of a minor was issued.

Prince Andrew invited Jeffrey Epstein to his daughter, pictured right, Princess Beatrice’s birthday party Picture: AFP

Prince Andrew invited Jeffrey Epstein to the 18th birthday party that he gave for his daughter, Princess Beatrice, even though the American billionaire paedophile had been subject to an arrest warrant for the sexual assault of a minor at the time.

Asked why he would invite somebody like that to his teenage daughter’s party, Andrew said: “At the time I don’t think I … certainly I wasn’t aware when the invitation was issued what was going on in the United States.”

READ MORE: Prince Andrew’s bizarre Navy defence for Epstein friendship

Epstein had never discussed the arrest warrant, insisted Andrew, who had hosted the fancy dress party at Windsor Castle. Harvey Weinstein, the now disgraced Hollywood producer, was also a guest.

While the Duke of York did not find himself with many friends yesterday (Saturday), Sarah Ferguson resumed her role of staunchly defending her former husband.

She declared he was a “true and real gentleman” and a “giant of a principled man”, before the broadcast of a television interview about his friendship with Epstein.

In a post on the photo-sharing site Instagram, Ferguson, 60, wrote: “It is so rare to meet people that are able to speak from their hearts with honesty … that remain steadfast and strong to their beliefs.”

The Times