‘Virginia Giuffre Was Telling the Truth’: Jess Michaels Slams Buckingham Palace for Hiding Information About Former Prince Andrew for Six Years
A deliberate cover-up.
Buckingham Palace knew for six years that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor might have committed a crime by leaking confidential government information and did nothing about it. Jess Michaels, who was sexually assaulted by Jeffrey Epstein in 1991, told The Telegraph that the Palace’s inaction sent a clear message: powerful men get protected, while the people they harm are left to deal with the fallout alone.
The emails in question surfaced in 2020, when the Lord Chamberlain, the Palace’s top official, received around 30,000 messages, some of which allegedly showed Mountbatten-Windsor forwarding sensitive trade reports to Jonathan Rowland, a close friend and former CEO of Banque Havilland. Michaels said the Palace’s decision to ignore these red flags wasn’t just negligent, but a deliberate cover-up.
The fallout from that silence, she added, has been devastating for survivors like Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who accused Mountbatten-Windsor of trafficking her when she was 17. “Protecting him meant doubting her. Virginia Roberts Giuffre was telling the truth, and she didn’t live to see them admit it. That breaks my heart and it should break everyone’s.”
Her frustration isn’t just about Mountbatten-Windsor
Michaels pointed out that while the U.K. is finally investigating him, the U.S. government has done little to hold Epstein’s associates accountable. “A little late, but it’s the very least they could do,” she said of the U.K.’s probe. “Meanwhile, our own government named us as victims, shields the men who harmed us and still treats us like the problem.”
Her words highlight a pattern she sees all too often: institutions prioritizing reputation over justice. “This is what institutions do. They protect powerful men and leave the people they harmed to carry it.”
Mountbatten-Windsor’s ties to Epstein have been under scrutiny for years, but the latest allegations suggest the Palace had concrete evidence of wrongdoing long before any legal action was taken. In February, on his 66th birthday, he was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, specifically for allegedly sharing sensitive government information with Epstein while serving as a trade envoy.
Court documents show he forwarded official reports in 2010 about trips to Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, and China. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing, but the sheer volume of correspondence, 30,000 emails, suggests the Palace had ample reason to act sooner.
The Palace, for its part, has remained tight-lipped
When asked about the emails, Buckingham Palace said, “Since there is an ongoing police inquiry concerning Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor, it is not possible to provide any comment on these matters.” The refusal to engage has only fueled calls for greater transparency. Labour MP Rachel Maskell demanded a public inquiry into the royal household’s handling of the situation.
“The web grows ever darker, and that is why we have got to address the issue of unaccountable power and also the abuse of power in high office,” she said. Maskell wants a joint committee of MPs and Lords to scrutinize the Palace, arguing that the current system is broken and in need of urgent reform.
The pressure on the Palace isn’t just coming from politicians. The public is growing increasingly frustrated with what many see as a culture of secrecy and impunity. Mountbatten-Windsor’s behavior has been a lightning rod for criticism, especially after reports emerged that Thames Valley Police are investigating another alleged incident from 2002.
According to The Sunday Times, police are looking into claims that he engaged in inappropriate conduct with a woman at Royal Ascot, an event attended by Queen Elizabeth, King Charles, and other senior royals. The woman was reportedly a waitress at the event, and while details remain scarce, the investigation is examining possible charges of sexual misconduct, corruption, and fraud.
Royal experts say the Ascot allegations are just the tip of the iceberg
Hilary Fordwich, a British royals expert, told Fox News that more revelations are likely to surface as people who once felt constrained by protocol begin speaking out. “The debauchery and disgusting behavior of Andrew was known,” she said. “As more who felt constrained by protocol are now talking, there will be more.”
Ian Pelham Turner, a royal broadcaster, echoed that sentiment, noting that Mountbatten-Windsor has a long history of rudeness toward staff, including shouting and swearing at them. “Royal Ascot is one of the favorite destinations of the year for the royal family,” Turner said. “There have been growing rumors that many more stories are surfacing regarding misdeeds by Andrew and a growing public dislike for the former prince.”
The Ascot investigation isn’t the only legal headache Mountbatten-Windsor is facing. Thames Valley Police are also examining claims that Epstein sent a woman to have sex with him at a royal residence in Windsor in 2010. The Epstein files have already exposed the extent of Mountbatten-Windsor’s connections to the disgraced financier, but the latest allegations suggest his misconduct may have extended far beyond his association with Epstein.
If the Ascot investigation leads to charges, it could mark a turning point in how the royal family, and the public, view his legacy. For survivors like Jess Michaels, though, the real issue isn’t just about one man’s actions. It’s about a system that enables powerful figures to evade accountability for years, if not decades. “I’m glad the U.K. is finally investigating,” she said. “But let’s not pretend this is justice. It’s damage control.”
(Featured image: Carfax2)
Have a tip we should know? [email protected]
Follow The Mary Sue:
