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Apologies, resignation, royal glare: Epstein fallout grows

The Epstein affair continues to cast a long shadow over Washington
The Epstein affair continues to cast a long shadow over Washington

The release by US authorities of a new cache of files on late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has caused international fallout involving high profile figures.

Here are details about some of the individuals mentioned, none of whom has been accused of wrongdoing:

Norway's crown princess

Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit, whose name appears at least 1,000 times in the millions of freshly released documents, has said "she showed poor judgement" for her "embarrassing" friendship with Epstein.

In one email, she asked Epstein if it was "inappropriate for a mother to suggest two naked women carrying a surfboard for my 15 yr old son's wallpaper".

According to the palace, Mette-Marit ceased contact with Epstein in 2014.

Britain's Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson

Britain's former prince Andrew was again caught up in the scandal. The latest release included undated photos of him kneeling on all fours over a woman lying on the floor.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer indicated on Saturday that Andrew should testify to the US Congress about his ties to Epstein.

pictures which appear to show Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor crouched over an unidentified woman are featured in the latest disclosure of files linked to Jeffrey Epstein
Photos which show Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor kneeling over a woman were in the latest release

In October, King Charles stripped his brother of his royal titles after the late Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre alleged she was trafficked to have sex with Andrew three times, including twice when she was 17.

In one email from Friday's release, Andrew's ex-wife Sarah Ferguson thanked Epstein for being "the brother I have always wished for".

In another, she wrote: "urgently need 20,000 pounds for rent today... Any brainwaves?"

Ms Ferguson said in a 2011 interview that she was cutting ties with Epstein, and has also called a £15,000 ($20,000) loan that she took from him to help pay off debts a "gigantic error of judgement".

Belgian prince

Belgium's Prince Laurent admitted yesterday to two "one-on-one" meetings with Epstein, dating back to the 1990s and early 2000s. King Philippe's 62-year-old younger brother, however, denied ever meeting the disgraced financier at "public or group events".

Norwegian diplomat

Norway suspended a top diplomat yesterday known for her involvement in a landmark attempt to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict pending an investigation into her alleged ties to Epstein.

Norwegian media reported that Epstein left $10 million in his will to the children of Mona Juul, who played a key role in the secret Israeli-Palestinian negotiations which led to the Oslo accords of the early 1990s.

Slovakia official resigns

The Slovakian government's national security adviser resigned over his links to Epstein.

Miroslav Lajcak exchanged text messages with Epstein including one saying that certain "girls are incredible" in 2018 during his second spell as foreign minister, the BBC reported.

Admitting the exchanges last night for the first time, the former foreign minister said that while he was introduced to "important people" by Epstein, there were no girls present.

LA Olympic chief

Los Angeles Olympics chief Casey Wasserman apologised on Saturday after decades-old flirtatious emails between him and Epstein's jailed former girlfriend appeared in the files.

Mr Wasserman, chairman of the organising committee for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, said his 2003 email exchanges with Ghislaine Maxwell - who is serving a 20-year sentence for trafficking underage girls for Epstein - took place before her crimes were known.

A photograph of Casey Wasserman
Casey Wasserman pictured at a Kering Foundation Fourth Annual 'Caring for Women' dinner in 2025

He said he had "never had a personal or business relationship with Jeffrey Epstein", adding that he was "terribly sorry for having any association with either of them".

British ex-envoy to US

Peter Mandelson, who was fired as the British ambassador to Washington last year over his ties to Epstein, quit the Labour Party on Sunday following the latest wave of revelations.

Undated photos appear to show Mandelson in a T-shirt and underwear beside a woman whose face was redacted by US authorities.

Peter Mandelson in the Oval Office
Peter Mandelson pictured in the Oval Office in May 2025

Mr Mandelson told the BBC he could not identify the woman or the location.

Mr Starmer has ordered an urgent inquiry into Mr Mandelson's ties with Epstein.

French film producer, ex-minister

A daughter of high-profile former French culture minister Jack Lang's resigned as head of a film producers' group following revelations of the family's Epstein ties.

Mr Lang, who spent nearly 20 years as culture minister and education minister in different governments, said he had been introduced to Epstein by American actor-director Woody Allen and had no knowledge of his crimes.

His daughter, Caroline, one-time actor and now a film producer admitted to being "incredibly naive" for plans to set up a fund to buy artworks with the late sex offender.

University drops US envoy's name

Queen's University Belfast is to remove the name of former US Senator George Mitchell - one of the architects of the Good Friday Agreement - from a peace centre following the emergence of new information contained in the Epstein files.

A bust of Mr Mitchell will also be removed from the university grounds.

Mr Mitchell chaired the negotiations which led to the 1998 peace agreement.

Mr Mitchell has said on multiple occasions that he had no contact with Epstein following his conviction.

A spokesperson for Mr Mitchell said: "Senator Mitchell profoundly regrets ever having known Jeffrey Epstein and condemns, without reservation, the horrific harm Epstein inflicted on so many women."