Prince Andrew caught on camera with Jeffrey Epstein, Donald and Melania Trump in shock pic
AT first glance it looks like any other high-society photo - the future US President and First Lady alongside the Queen's second son.
Donald Trump parties with Jeffrey Epstein in 1992
But lurking in the background is paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, who was found dead in prison earlier this month while awaiting trial on charges of child sex trafficking. Also in the snap is British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, alleged by the billionaire's young victims to have been complicit in their abuse. The astonishing image - revealed for the first time - was taken at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida.
Andrew was guest of honour at a star-studded charity gala, hosted by Mr Trump in 2000, before Epstein's conviction for sex offences in 2008.
Months after the picture was taken, Andrew's accuser Virginia Roberts began working at the club as a changing room assistant and within a year she alleges disgraced Epstein had "lent her out" to sleep with the Prince, an allegation he strenuously denies.
In the main photo, Mr Trump and his then-girlfriend Melania Knauss are looking directly at the camera.
Andrew, wearing a grey suit, appears distracted while a grinning Ms Maxwell leans in. Epstein looks directly at the photographer in the background.
Several other rock stars and Hollywood actors also attended the function along with wealthy locals. In another snap, Andrew and Epstein are photographed laughing with Melania and local politician Gwendolyn Beck.
Roberts alleges Epstein forced her to perform sexual acts with prominent figures and claimed to have had sex with the prince on three occasions in London, Palm Beach and the USVirgin Islands.
She spoke in a New York courtroom earlier this week along with dozens of other Epstein victims and said of Andrew: "He knows what he's done. I hope he comes clean about it."
Andrew, 59, who was seen playing golf in Spain on Tuesday, strenuously denies any wrongdoing. In a statement released last Saturday he said he did not see or suspect criminal behaviour.
A spokesman for Ms Maxwell, 57, said: "The allegations made against Ghislaine are untrue."