LONDON — In a pointed critique of the British royal family, Ian Maxwell, brother of the imprisoned Ghislaine Maxwell, has accused the Windsors of abandoning Prince Andrew in his hour of need following the prince's recent arrest. Speaking to The Telegraph in an interview published on Friday, February 20, Ian, 70, described Andrew as 'kicked out of his home, completely isolated,' and lacking the family support that his sister Ghislaine has enjoyed during her legal battles.
The arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, as he is now known after being stripped of his royal titles, occurred on Thursday, February 19 — his 66th birthday — at his residence on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, England. Thames Valley Police took the former prince into custody on suspicion of misconduct in public office, alleging that between 2001 and 2011, while serving as the United Kingdom's special trade envoy, he shared confidential information with Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier and convicted sex trafficker who died by suicide in August 2019 at age 66 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
Ian Maxwell emphasized that Andrew has not been charged with any sexual offenses, telling The Telegraph, 'You have to note [Andrew] hasn’t been charged with any sort of sexual offense. And the police will have looked really hard for evidence.' He acknowledged the prince's personal conduct as problematic, adding, 'Look, he’s a single man and what he did or didn’t do with various women was sleazy, humiliating for him and embarrassing for the royals.'
The comments come amid ongoing fallout from Epstein's criminal network, which has ensnared high-profile figures for years. Ghislaine Maxwell, Ian's 64-year-old sister, was convicted in December 2021 on federal sex trafficking charges related to her role in procuring underage girls for Epstein and others. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison in June 2022 and is currently serving her term at a low-security federal facility in Florida, often described as the U.S. equivalent of an open prison. Ghislaine has maintained her innocence throughout, and her brother remains one of her most vocal defenders.
'My sister is the fall guy,' Ian insisted in the interview. 'Somebody had to pay the price for what Epstein did and so the government and the media chose her. I genuinely believe that if Epstein were alive he would be incarcerated and she would be free.' He further argued that her trial was unfair, stating, 'Her trial wasn’t fair and her conviction isn’t safe. Ghislaine has done nothing wrong and the length of her conviction is outrageous.'
Ian positioned himself as Ghislaine's 'de facto spokesman,' but stressed that support extends across their influential family. The Maxwells are the surviving children of the late media tycoon Robert Maxwell and his wife Elisabeth — seven in total: Ian, Ghislaine, Philip, Ann, twins Christine and Isabel, and Kevin. Two siblings, Karine and Michael, predeceased them. 'We’re all supporting her in various ways; loyalty is very very strong in our family,' Ian said.
Beyond family loyalty, Ian called for broader solidarity, particularly from feminist groups. 'There’s an argument here that feminists should really support Ghislaine because she is a woman who has been treated abysmally by the system,' he declared. He portrayed his sister positively, noting, 'But I believe my sister is on the right side of history. She’s now in the U.S. equivalent of an open prison and I know she helps other prisoners with their legal cases. I genuinely believe that if she is released in response to her petition – and there’s still a chance that President [Donald] Trump might respond to her plea for clemency – she would do something worthwhile.'
Prince Andrew's ties to Epstein date back to the early 2000s, introduced through Ghislaine Maxwell, who was Epstein's longtime associate and, at one point, girlfriend. In a infamous 2019 interview with the BBC's Newsnight program, Andrew recounted meeting Epstein via Ghislaine and defended his continued association, claiming it was to help end Epstein's behavior. He has consistently denied any knowledge of or involvement in Epstein's crimes.
The most serious allegations against Andrew stem from Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein's victims, who accused Epstein and Ghislaine of trafficking her to the prince for sex on three occasions, including in 2001 when she was 17 years old. Andrew has vehemently denied these claims, calling them 'categorically untrue.' In 2022, he settled a civil sexual assault lawsuit brought by Giuffre out of court for an undisclosed sum, reportedly in the range of £12 million ($15 million), without admitting liability. Tragically, Giuffre died by suicide in April 2025 at age 41, as her family confirmed in statements following Andrew's arrest this week.
Giuffre's family has spoken out in the wake of the prince's detention, expressing hope for accountability. 'We are relieved that the investigation is moving forward,' a family spokesperson told reporters outside their home in Australia, where Giuffre had relocated in her later years. 'Virginia's story must be heard, even now.'
King Charles III, Andrew's brother, responded swiftly to the arrest with a measured statement emphasizing due process. 'As I have said before, [police] have our full and wholehearted support and cooperation,' the king said. 'Let me state clearly: the law must take its course. As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.'
The king's stance reflects a broader pattern of distancing the monarchy from Andrew. In October 2025, Charles announced the revocation of Andrew's remaining royal titles, including his military affiliations and the style 'His Royal Highness.' This followed years of pressure after Epstein's 2019 death and the subsequent revelations. Andrew was also compelled to vacate Royal Lodge, his longtime Windsor Great Park residence, relocating to more modest accommodations on the privately funded Sandringham estate in eastern England.
Ian's comparison of Andrew's isolation to Ghislaine's circumstances highlights perceived inconsistencies in how elites are treated. While Ghislaine remains behind bars appealing her conviction — her legal team filed a petition for a new trial in late 2024 citing juror misconduct — Andrew's arrest marks a rare instance of a royal facing criminal charges in modern British history. Legal experts note that misconduct in public office carries a potential sentence of up to life imprisonment, though convictions are uncommon for such high-profile cases.
The Maxwell family's defense of Ghislaine has not wavered since her arrest in July 2020 at a New Hampshire hideout. Ian, a businessman based in the U.K., has frequently appeared in media to counter narratives of his sister's guilt, often framing her as a victim of Epstein's shadow. Other family members, including brother Kevin, have contributed financially to her defense fund, which has exceeded $10 million according to court filings.
As Andrew's case unfolds, questions linger about the scope of Epstein's influence on British institutions. Thames Valley Police have indicated that the investigation is ongoing, with potential for additional charges. Meanwhile, Ghislaine's supporters, including Ian, continue to push for her release, eyeing political avenues like a presidential pardon from Donald Trump, who was once a social acquaintance of Epstein. The intertwined scandals underscore the enduring repercussions of Epstein's crimes, affecting not just individuals but entire establishments on both sides of the Atlantic.
For those affected by human trafficking or sexual assault, resources are available. The National Human Trafficking Hotline can be reached at 1-888-373-7888, and the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).