Newly Released Epstein Files Show Prince Andrew Hovering Over a 'Young Girl' Lying on The Floor

Newly published Department of Justice (DOJ) files connected to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation include previously unseen images that appear to show former British royal Prince Andrew, now Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, positioned over a woman lying on the floor; a revelation that's prompting renewed scrutiny of his associations with Epstein and long-standing abuse allegations.

The DOJ announced on Jan. 30, 2026 that it had released more than 3 million additional pages of investigative material under the Epstein Files Transparency Act (H.R. 4405), legislation passed by the 119th United States Congress and signed by President Donald Trump on Nov. 19, 2025, intended to make federal records related to Epstein publicly accessible.

Images and Evidence From the New DOJ Release

Among the images recently uploaded to the Epstein Library, a set of photos has circulated showing Mountbatten-Windsor in a striking and controversial pose: crouched on all fours over a redacted image of a woman lying on the floor, with other frames suggesting he may be touching her midsection. There is no clear contextual information attached to these images in the files regarding location, date, or the identity and age of the woman depicted.

Public reaction to these images has been intense, though officials emphasise that inclusion in the files does not itself constitute evidence of criminal conduct. A Justice Department spokesperson reiterated that the images were part of investigative material and that photo contents, identities and circumstances must be interpreted with caution due to redactions and incomplete metadata. The DOJ's Jan. 30 press release states clearly that many files originated from multiple federal and FBI investigations spanning Florida and New York cases against Epstein and associates including Ghislaine Maxwell, and some files were withheld due to privilege or sensitivity.

Historical Allegations and Legal Context

This is not the first time court records related to Epstein have implicated Mountbatten-Windsor in controversy. Previously unsealed filings from a 2015 United States District Court case (Southern District of New York) connected to Virginia Giuffre's defamation lawsuit against Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell described allegations that Epstein trafficked Giuffre, then a minor, to have sexual relations with Prince Andrew on multiple occasions, including in London, New York and on Epstein's private island in the US Virgin Islands. Giuffre settled a related civil claim against Andrew in 2022 without admission of liability; the settlement's terms were confidential.

Depositions included in the public Epstein document archive also feature testimony from other witnesses. For example, Johanna Sjoberg, a former massage therapist at Epstein's New York residence, gave evidence about an incident at the townhouse where Andrew allegedly had physical contact with her in 2001, though she was then an adult.

Despite these allegations, and regardless of the content of the images released under the Transparency Act, British and US authorities have so far not pursued new criminal charges against Mountbatten-Windsor in connection with the Epstein investigations. In 2025, British police indicated they would not launch an investigation based on earlier document releases but reserved the right to revisit 'new and relevant information' should it be presented to them.

Responses and Defences

Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied any wrongdoing connected to Epstein's activities. In statements issued over the years, he has rejected allegations of sexual abuse and has categorically stated that he did not engage in criminal behaviour. His spokesperson reiterated that inclusion of his name or images in federal documents should not be interpreted as an admission of criminal involvement.

It's important to note that photos and documents released in litigation and federal archives can reflect raw investigative material rather than adjudicated evidence. They emphasise that context is critical: the absence of dating, witness testimony, or corroborating records in some images means that their significance remains a matter for careful judicial analysis rather than broad assumption.

The January 2026 release represents the largest tranche of Epstein-related material made public to date. While it includes extensive photographic and documentary evidence of Epstein's social circle, emails and guest lists, it also underscores the limits of public transparency — redaction, absent metadata and the sheer volume of material pose challenges to interpretation.