Prince Andrew hosted Epstein, Maxwell at Royal Lodge: Reports

(NewsNation) — Prince Andrew, who recently gave up his royal title, hosted Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at Royal Lodge, according to multiple reports.

The lodge is Andrew's private residence on the grounds of Windsor Castle, though there has been pressure for him to move out over the continued scandal from his association with Epstein and allegations of sexual abuse. 

Earlier reporting confirmed Epstein and Maxwell attended a masked ball to celebrate the 18th birthday of Andrew's daughter.

Now, the BBC has reported the two were also at a smaller, more private gathering at Royal Lodge ahead of the event.

That gathering came months after an arrest warrant was issued for Epstein and just days before he was taken into police custody.

When Andrew was asked why he invited Epstein and Maxwell to the party, he denied knowing about the warrant, saying it hadn't been picked up by the media and that Epstein never mentioned it.

Andrew admitted he flew on Epstein's private plane and stayed at Epstein's mansion.

Andrew has faced renewed scrutiny after the posthumous publication of Virginia Giuffre's memoir, "Nobody's Girl," in which she described being trafficked by Epstein to Andrew, who she says sexually abused her multiple times when she was under the age of 18. Giuffre died by suicide in April.

The decision to relinquish Andrew's royal title of the Duke of York was made after discussions with King Charles, with Prince William reportedly encouraging a harsher stance regarding the allegations against Andrew.

It also comes after emails were released showing Andrew kept in touch with Epstein longer than he previously admitted.

Pressure has grown for Andrew to move out of Royal Lodge. Although he invested the equivalent of $9.9 million when he signed a 75-year lease on the residence, he has since paid a symbolic annual rent of one peppercorn.

Charles has not yet commented on the public's demands to see Andrew ousted from the royal residence.