Prince Andrew 'hosted Jeffrey Epstein and entourage at Balmoral'

The Duke of York hosted Jeffrey Epstein and his entourage on the Balmoral estate, it has been reported.

Jeffrey Epstein and entourage were reportedly hosted by the Duke at the Balmoral estate. Picture: PA

Andrew welcomed the since-disgraced billionaire, who was later convicted of being a paedophile, to the Queen's private Scottish retreat in Aberdeenshire in 1999, the Daily Mail newspaper reported.

Buckingham Palace said: "We have and will not comment on private matters relating to visits to Balmoral or other residences."

The duke released a statement after new footage emerged showing him inside Epstein's Manhattan mansion in 2010, two years after Epstein's conviction.

The video, obtained by MailOnline, was reportedly shot on December 6 2010, around the time Andrew was photographed with disgraced financier Epstein in New York's Central Park.

It shows the duke looking out from a large door of the mansion waving a woman goodbye after Epstein leaves to get in a chauffeur-driven car.

A Buckingham Palace statement said: "The Duke of York has been appalled by the recent reports of Jeffrey Epstein's alleged crimes.

"His Royal Highness deplores the exploitation of any human being and the suggestion he would condone, participate in or encourage any such behaviour is abhorrent."

Andrew has been dogged by accusations of a lack of judgment about his links with Epstein.

He quit his role as UK trade envoy in 2011 after the fallout from the Central Park photos.

Buckingham Palace has issued strong denials over claims from a woman who said she was forced to have under-age sex with the duke.

Virginia Roberts alleged in court papers in Florida that she was forced to have sex with Andrew when she was 17, which is under the age of consent in the state.

She alleged she had sex with Andrew "three times, including one orgy" in London, at Epstein's New York home, and at an "orgy" on his private island in the Caribbean.

But Buckingham Palace has branded the allegations "false and without any foundation", stating: "Any suggestion of impropriety with under-age minors" by the duke was "categorically untrue".

In June 2000, Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell attended a party at Windsor Castle hosted by the Queen to mark Andrew's 40th birthday, the Princess Royal's 50th, the Queen Mother's 100th and Princess Margaret's 70th.

The celebration was held on Prince William's 18th birthday, but William was not at the party because he was revising for his A-levels.

Epstein, 66, killed himself in his jail cell in New York earlier this month after being charged with sex trafficking.

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