A long-circulating photograph showing Peter Mandelson wearing only his underwear has taken on a far darker significance after new evidence emerged about where it was taken.
Investigators and media outlets now say the image was shot inside Jeffrey Epstein’s infamous Paris apartment — a property already linked to serious allegations of sexual abuse and trafficking.
The discovery has reignited public attention around Epstein’s European footprint and reopened uncomfortable questions about the powerful figures who passed through his doors.
Inside Epstein’s Lavish Paris Base Near the Arc de Triomphe
The apartment in question sits on Avenue Foch, one of Paris’s most prestigious addresses, just moments from the Arc de Triomphe.
Spanning roughly 8,000 square feet, the second-floor flat boasts eight bedrooms, soaring 16-foot ceilings, and sweeping views across the French capital.
Epstein purchased the property in 2001 and later acquired additional flats in the same building.
Over the years, it became a regular stop for his elite guests whenever he was in France.
But behind the grandeur, French authorities allege that some of Epstein’s most disturbing crimes took place there.
How Investigators Linked Mandelson’s Photo to the Apartment
Forensic and data specialists say they were able to match details in the Mandelson photograph with known images of Epstein’s Paris home.
The distinctive metal balcony railing visible through a nearby window reportedly matches the railings installed at the Avenue Foch property.
Other elements — including the lamp design, curtains, red-toned wood panelling, and even the layout of the room — also align with photographs taken when the apartment was listed for sale in 2021.
In a separate image from the same room, a sheet of paper bearing the name “Jeffrey E. Epstein” can be seen on a desk, further cementing the link.
Mandelson’s spokesman has maintained that the former Labour peer has “absolutely no idea” where the photograph was taken and does not know whether it has any connection to Epstein.
Claims of Other Images Taken Inside Epstein Homes
The Paris revelation comes alongside claims from Sky News that another controversial image — showing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in a compromising position — was taken inside Epstein’s New York residence.
That conclusion, they say, is also based on interior features matching known photographs of the property.
While those claims remain contested, they add to the growing body of material tying Epstein’s homes to powerful individuals long after his 2008 conviction for abusing young women.
A Property Steeped in Allegations
Epstein’s Paris flat became known among investigators as part of his so-called “House of Sin” network.
French police searched the apartment following his death in 2019 as part of a wider child sex trafficking inquiry.
Former staff and contractors later described unsettling details from inside the home.
One workman recalled being struck by the sheer number of photographs of young women displayed on the walls, arranged “like family photos.”
Another said many of the girls appeared very young — not necessarily children, but uncomfortably close.
Epstein’s longtime butler also claimed the apartment contained a dedicated massage room that Epstein visited multiple times a day.
While he suggested not all encounters were sexual, the description echoed patterns seen at Epstein’s other properties.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and the Paris Connection
According to reports, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was encouraged by Epstein to treat the Paris apartment “as his own.”
Many of his visits reportedly took place after Epstein’s 2008 conviction in the United States.
The Duke has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
However, Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre previously alleged that during a stay at the Paris property when she was a teenager, twin 12-year-old girls were recruited to have sex with Epstein.
Giuffre, who died by suicide last year, maintained those claims until her death.
From Gilded Showcase to Discounted Sale
Despite its luxury, the Avenue Foch apartment proved difficult to sell after Epstein’s arrest and death.
Sotheby’s described it as a rare, beautifully renovated property by a world-famous decorator, complete with distinctive skull and eyeball artworks chosen by Epstein himself.
Even so, the flat sat on the market for around four years before finally selling in 2024 to a Bulgarian investor for £8.2 million — roughly £2 million below its original asking price.
Sources have since called for part of the sale proceeds to be directed to Epstein’s victims.
Mandelson’s Apology and Exit from Labour
Peter Mandelson has yet to comment publicly on the latest revelations about the photograph’s location.
However, in a letter sent to Labour’s general secretary over the weekend, he announced his decision to step down from party membership.
In the letter, Mandelson expressed regret over being linked once again to Epstein and apologised directly to victims.
He also said allegations that Epstein made financial payments to him two decades ago — claims he says he does not recall — would need to be investigated.
He wrote that he did not want to cause further embarrassment to the Labour Party and believed stepping aside was in its best interests, while repeating his apology to “the women and girls whose voices should have been heard long before now.”
What Comes Next
As more material from the so-called Epstein files continues to surface, scrutiny of his properties — and the people photographed inside them — shows no sign of fading.
For now, the Paris apartment stands as yet another reminder that Epstein’s influence extended far beyond the United States, leaving a trail of unanswered questions in its wake.
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