On a humid Saturday morning at the Windsor estate, Prince Andrew was spotted riding through the Berkshire countryside, sticking to what has become a familiar routine.
Dressed in a short-sleeved burgundy button-down shirt, black trousers, and sturdy riding boots, the 65-year-old Duke of York looked contemplative during his outing.
His signature white-striped helmet and black leather gloves completed the look as he trotted alongside a groom.
But there wasn’t much conversation between the two—Andrew appeared more inward-focused, quietly processing his thoughts as they made their way through the grounds.
Rumblings Behind the Scenes
This seemingly ordinary ride came at a time when unsettling claims about the prince’s past connections were resurfacing once again.
According to a report, Prince Andrew was allegedly asked to contribute a personal message to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein’s 50th birthday album back in 2003.
The request reportedly came from Ghislaine Maxwell, the prince’s longtime acquaintance and Epstein’s close associate.
She is said to have spent over a year pulling the project together—a leather-bound, gold-embossed collection of birthday tributes from Epstein’s inner circle of powerful friends.
Maxwell Allegedly Pushed for Andrew’s Contribution
A U.S. insider claimed that Maxwell was the driving force behind the book, determined to make it a who’s who of Epstein’s high-profile network.
“She leaned on a lot of people to write something,” the source told The Sunday People.
“This wasn’t just ‘happy birthday’—she wanted something personal and meaningful.”
According to the report, Maxwell emphasized to contributors that being included in the album was an “honour.
” Epstein himself, the source said, saw Andrew as one of the most prized members of his elite social circle.
Naturally, Maxwell made sure he was invited to contribute.
What Did Andrew Say?
Here’s where things get murky. It’s still unclear whether Prince Andrew actually wrote or submitted a message to the album.
However, by 2003—when the album was being compiled—his friendship with Epstein had already been well-established.
That relationship has placed Andrew under heavy scrutiny in recent years, especially after Epstein’s 2008 conviction and the explosive legal fallout that followed his 2019 death in prison.
Maxwell, now serving a 20-year sentence in a U.S. facility for trafficking underage girls, has become a central figure in the investigation of Epstein’s vast and troubling network.
A Long-Running Connection
Andrew’s ties to Epstein began in 1999, when he was introduced to the disgraced financier by Maxwell.
Over the years, he made several visits to Epstein’s lavish homes across New York, Palm Beach, and even the U.S. Virgin Islands.
In return, Epstein was welcomed into some of Britain’s most exclusive royal residences—Balmoral, Windsor Castle, Sandringham, and Royal Ascot.
Despite this close association, Andrew has consistently denied any knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities, which first began surfacing publicly in 2006.
Still Under the Spotlight
While Prince Andrew has stepped back from public duties and kept a low profile since the scandal erupted, reminders of his past links to Epstein continue to surface.
Whether or not he contributed to the birthday album may seem like a small detail—but in the wider context of his relationship with Epstein, it adds another layer of speculation.
For now, the Duke of York seems to be keeping to himself, finding quiet moments on horseback at Windsor while headlines continue to circle.