As if the name of United States Donald Trump appearing 38,000 times in the Epstein files was not shocking enough, the document indicating the escapades and transactions of Jeffrey Epstein also includes communications with members of royal families and high-level officials in Europe.
King’s brother under fire
The younger brother of King Charles III, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was among the prominent names repeatedly mentioned ever since the Epstein files were publicized by the US Department of Justice.
His connection to the convicted sex trafficker had cost him his royal title and his home at the Royal Lodge.
The former Duke of York has denied all allegations of affairs with underage women and taking part in Epstein’s activities despite images and thousands of e-mails indicating his close communication with the US financier for years.
He said that knowing Epstein and being mentioned in the files does not constitute a misdemeanor.
The British monarch has also been in the spotlight, with the public wondering if he had knowledge of Andrew’s connection with Epstein in the past.
Royal author Robert Jobson suggests that either former senior royal officials chose to protect the image of the monarch at the expense of the victims or that such sensitive details were unidentified for years, which would deem the royal institution “dangerously incompetent.”
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Shocking ties of Norway’s crown princess with Epstein
Even the Norwegian royal family was dragged into the latest bombshell brought by the three million pages of documents released by the US Justice Department, as their very own crown princess, Mette-Marit, had alleged close connections with Epstein.
Such a scandal was another blow to the Nordic monarch amid the ongoing rape trial of the son of the crown princess, Marius Borg Hoiby
He could face at least 10 years in jail if found guilty.
Mette-Marit swiftly released a statement apologizing for the “poor judgment” she had committed in the past and vowed to explain her side further in the future, given the current “difficult times” her family is facing.
According to the documents retrieved by the US authorities, Mette-Marit exchanged several e-mails with Epstein and planned to meet him in person.
Prominent European officials also in the spotlight
Meanwhile, former British ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson, who was appointed by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, was also linked to the Epstein scandal.
Starmer said that he had no knowledge regarding Mandelson’s connection with Epstein, but the scandal resulted in the resignation of Starmer’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney.
Former French Cultural Minister Jack Lang was also mentioned in the Epstein files – and that cost him his post as head of the Arab World Institute.
According to the documents, Lang exchanged e-mails with Epstein between 2012 and 2019.
He denied having connections with Epstein and assured cooperation with ongoing investigations.
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