Jeffrey Epstein's former housekeeper claimed Prince Andrew received daily massages while spending “weeks” at the pedophile financier's Florida home, court documents show – adding that Sarah Ferguson also allegedly visited the residence.
Juan Alessi, who worked at Epstein's Palm Beach residence, said both Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York were friends with him and now-convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell.
During his videotaped interview under oath in 2009, released on Friday evening as part of the latest tranche of Epstein-related documents, Mr Alessi was asked about the Duke's relationship with Maxwell and the financier.
He said that Andrew would receive massages “daily” during his stay at the residence, but that while Sarah Ferguson was “friends” with Epstein, she once visited him for a “brief time.”
The newly unsealed files are once again embarrassing the king, but last night royal sources claimed that the king continues to feel a “sense of duty” towards his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, to ensure that Andrew is not “left behind” by the rest of the Family.
A source told the Mirror that Charles told his brother that he would “not be let down.”
“Charles promised his late mother that he would not abandon Andrew after her death and that will remain the case unless he becomes involved in a criminal matter,” they said.
Prince Andrew (pictured with Sarah Ferguson) has always denied allegations of sexual activity with Epstein's accusers and denied wrongdoing
Juan Alessi, who worked as a housekeeper for Jeffrey Epstein from 1991 to 2002 and testified during Maxwell's trial in 2021
Pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein's former home in Palm Beach, Florida, where Prince Andrew would allegedly receive “daily massages” during week-long visits
A room in Jeffrey Epstein's home in Palm Beach, Florida, which Andrew allegedly visited several times
The master bedroom in Jeffrey Epstein's Palm Beach home – one of several photos released by the FBI
Meanwhile, in an interview with the Housekeeper, lawyer Katherine Ezell asked Mr Alessi: “Were Prince Andrew and Princess Sarah friends of Mrs Maxwell?”
Mr. Alessi replied: “Both,” confirming that he meant they were friends with Maxwell and Epstein.
The lawyer continued, “Did you ever have massages while you were there?”
Mr Alessi replied: “Prince Andrew did it.” I think Sarah was only there once and for a short time. I don't think she slept there. I can not remember.
“I think she was visiting Wellington and came to our house and we met her. “But Prince Andrew, yes, Prince Andrew spent weeks with us.”
Ms. Ezell then asked, “Where would he sleep?”
Mr. Alessi said, “In the main room, the main guest bedroom. “That was the blue room.”
The lawyer then said, “And if he came and stayed, would he get a massage frequently during that time?”
Mr. Alessi replied: “I would say daily massages.”
When asked if it was sometimes more than one a day, Mr Alessi replied: “I can't remember if he had more than one, but I think it was just a massage for him.” We set up the tables and…'
Ms. Ezell interjected: “Do you remember (Virginia Giuffre) visiting the house when Prince Andrew was there?”
Mr Alessi replied: “It could have been, but I'm not sure.”
In another interview under oath, an Epstein associate, referred to only as a “witness” in the documents, claimed that Maxwell had taken the pedophile financier to England “to introduce him to the royal family.”
The employee said there were “many pictures” of the Duke of York with Epstein at the estate where they worked.
They also said they never saw the Duke visiting the estate, but rather “he called”. The Palm Beach house was demolished in April 2021.
Buckingham Palace and representatives of the Duchess of York have been contacted for comment.
Excerpts from Juan Alessi's testimony, given under oath in 2009, released in the latest tranche of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein
Sarah Ferguson was photographed at the Palm Beach Polo and Country Club in Wellington, Florida in 2005. Mr. Alessi said she visited Epstein's home “once and for a short period of time.”
Prince Andrew, Virginia Roberts (now Giuffre) and Ghislaine Maxwell are pictured at Maxwell's London townhouse in 2001
Andrew retreated from public life after the uproar over his friendship with Epstein and paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault case with Virginia Giuffre, a woman he said he had never met.
He was expelled from the functioning monarchy and no longer uses his royal highness style after Ms Giuffre, who was trafficked by Epstein, accused him of sexually abusing her when she was 17. The Duke strenuously denies any wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, the royal family is said to be divided over whether Andrew should be permanently excluded.
On Christmas Day, Andrew joined the family for the annual festive service at the Sandringham estate – a show of unity that stunned many, given that the release of new Epstein papers was imminent.
The house was demolished in April 2021 after Epstein's death (pictured: demolition underway)
An exterior shot of Epstein's Palm Beach home, which Andrew allegedly visited multiple times and received massages “daily.”
Alessi leaves court in Manhattan after testifying in Ghislaine Maxwell's sex trafficking trial in December 2021
Scotland Yard said last night it would not rule out investigating sexual assault allegations against Prince Andrew.
As the family gathered around the king's brother at his Windsor villa, Met bosses said investigators would consider all “new and relevant” information.
Anti-monarchy group Republic reported Andrew to the police on Thursday after newly released legal documents brought his relationship with pedophile Jeffrey Epstein back into the spotlight.
The court papers included allegations that the prince knew about Epstein's sex trafficking, committed “acts of sexual abuse” and took part in an “orgy of minors.” He has vehemently and repeatedly denied all allegations made against him.
But pressure mounted on the Yard to act after both Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak were taken to court over the claims. Sir Keir, a former head of the Crown Prosecution Service, told LBC Radio that “credible” allegations should be investigated, no matter who they relate to.
Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein are seen strolling in Central Park on December 5, 2010
The Labor leader added: “I've seen the headlines on this, not the details, but frankly, whoever it is, where there are credible allegations made then of course they should be looked into.”
Mr Sunak said it would not be right for him to comment on police matters, stressing that the police were “operationally independent” of politicians.
The Yard, which said it had not opened an investigation, was last night accused by the Republic's chief executive of protecting Andrew. Graham Smith said: “I am writing to Commissioner Mark Rowley to ask these questions and to ask why the Met appears to be shielding the royals from possible prosecution.”
Last night's documents also revealed that Maxwell, the disgraced socialite, claimed she “never introduced Prince Andrew to Jeffrey Epstein.”
The 2016 statement revealed that Maxwell described Ms Giuffre's alleged meetings with the Duke as a “tissue of lies”.
Speaking to Ms Giuffre's lawyer Sigrid McCawley, Maxwell was asked: “Have you introduced him to Jeffrey?”
Maxwell responded, “That would be another lie from Virginia and the lies you perpetrate.”
“At no point did I introduce Prince Andrew to Jeffrey Epstein, so I’m just adding that to the (sic) long list of lies.”
Ms McCawley continued: “Did Jeffrey know Prince Andrew?”
Maxwell replied: “Obviously he knew him.”
Asked if she knew how Andrew met Epstein, Maxwell said: “I don't know if Jeffrey met Prince Andrew.”
“What I do know is that I didn’t introduce her.
“That's one of the many lies. 'Are we counting all the lies together?'
Epstein was found dead in his cell at a federal prison in Manhattan, New York, in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. The death was ruled a suicide.
Maxwell has been jailed since July 2020, despite her defense attorney trying to get her released on bail.
She was sentenced to 20 years in prison in June 2022 in federal court in the Southern District of New York.