Ghislaine Maxwell’s UK Base
Ghislaine Maxwell, as the daughter of media mogul Robert Maxwell and a well-connected figure in British society, was Epstein’s primary entry point to UK elite circles. Maxwell had grown up in Britain and maintained strong social connections there.
London Properties
Epstein had access to Maxwell’s London townhouses. The Belgravia property in London was one of the locations cited in victim allegations, including Virginia Giuffre’s allegations about Prince Andrew.
Prince Andrew
Prince Andrew, Duke of York, was the most prominent British connection. They socialized in London and elsewhere in the UK. The Prince’s friendship with Maxwell and Epstein led to their photographs together and ultimately to the 2022 civil settlement.
British Financial Connections
Epstein also had connections in the British financial world, including his later relationship with Jes Staley, who became head of Barclays, and connections to British financial figures he met through Les Wexner’s network and his own wealth management activities.
Robert Maxwell’s Legacy
The death of Robert Maxwell in 1991 and subsequent discoveries about his financial crimes left Ghislaine Maxwell with a compromised but still-active network of connections, which Epstein benefited from.