Ghislaine Maxwell has made explosive claims that Jeffrey Epstein pursued Princess Diana as a romantic partner, describing the late royal as the "ultimate trophy wife". The disgraced socialite alleged that the convicted paedophile travelled to Britain specifically to meet Diana at a "big event" during what she suggested was the early 2000s.
Maxwell's revelations emerged from transcripts of a two-day interview with US Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, released Friday by the Justice Department. The 63-year-old, currently serving 20 years for sex trafficking, made the claims as part of her ongoing bid to secure a presidential pardon from Donald Trump.
Timeline contradictions undermine claims
Maxwell's memory proved inconsistent during the interview, with her suggested timeline creating impossible scenarios. Only Birminghammail reports that her claims about meeting Diana in the early 2000s would be impossible, given the Princess died in 1997.
"I don't know if he sat with Diana or he met with Diana and he'd already met her," Maxwell said. "I don't know, but this, I believe, was organised by [one of Diana's closest confidantes]. I don't know if she was being set up as a date for him, maybe because she was... I don't want to speak bad of Diana, but... I'm not going to do that."
Trump defence amid pardon pursuit
Maxwell defended Trump during the same interview, stating she never witnessed him behaving inappropriately and calling him a "gentleman". The timing proves significant as Maxwell openly seeks a presidential pardon from the incoming administration.
According to Mirror reports, Todd Blanche was Trump's personal defence lawyer before his appointment as Deputy Attorney General, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest in conducting Maxwell's interview. Maxwell also revealed that Epstein had lived in London during the 1980s, mixing with "high society people".
Royal scandal connections persist
The claims add fresh controversy to Epstein's documented connections with the Royal Family, particularly Prince Andrew. The Duke of York was photographed with Epstein in Central Park in 2010, two years after the financier's Florida conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution.
Virginia Giuffre, who alleged she was trafficked to Prince Andrew as a teenager, has according to Daily Mail reports died earlier this year. Andrew consistently denied all allegations but settled a US civil case in 2022 for a reported £12 million without admitting liability.
Prison transfer controversy
Days after her Justice Department interview, Maxwell was transferred to a minimum-security facility, a move that has angered victims according to Daily Mail reports. The transfer to what critics call "Club Fed" comes as Maxwell continues her campaign for presidential clemency.
Trump's biographer Michael Wolff previously documented a competition between Trump and Epstein over who could first "sleep with Princess Diana". Television presenter Selina Scott also recorded Trump's pursuit of Diana following her 1996 separation from Charles, sending elaborate flower arrangements to Kensington Palace.
Sources used: "Birminghammail", "Mirror", "Daily Mail" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
