A photograph showing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Peter Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein has been released by the Department of Justice as part of the Epstein files

A new photograph showing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Peter Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein together has been released by the Department of Justice. The image is thought to have been captured sometime between 1999 and 2000, several years before Epstein was imprisoned in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from a minor.

The picture is reportedly the first confirmed photograph showing all three men together. Published as part of the newly-released Epstein files, it shows them seated around a wooden table on an outdoor deck, drinking from mugs decorated with the US flag during what appears to be a gathering in Martha’s Vineyard.

Whilst the photo has no timestamp, it closely resembles another image from Epstein’s “birthday book,” made public last year, which also showed Mandelson—again wearing a bathrobe—alongside Epstein, suggesting it may have been taken around the same period.

Within the book, the former UK ambassador to the US is said to have written a note to Epstein calling him his “best pal.”

The publication of these documents has added new detail to the connections both Mandelson and Andrew had with the convicted sex offender. However, Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing, reports the Express.

The newly published documents provide further insight into the links both Mandelson and Prince Andrew maintained with the disgraced financier. The Epstein files provide further insight into the former Duke of York’s interactions with Epstein, including allegations that Andrew’s team sought his assistance in responding to sexual assault accusations made by Virginia Giuffre, despite Andrew claiming he had severed ties with Epstein over four years prior.

Emails spanning from 2010 to 2018 seem to indicate that Andrew was considering a potential business collaboration with Epstein during his tenure as the UK’s trade envoy.

The recently disclosed documents shed light on the extent of Mandelson’s communication with Epstein, including emails sent on the eve of Epstein’s 2008 arrest where Mandelson urged him to “fight for early release” and reassured him that “your friends stay with you and love you.”

In 2009, whilst Epstein was serving his 18-month sentence, Mandelson stayed at his New York flat, and subsequent emails appear to show Mandelson’s husband, Reinaldo Avila da Silva, expressing gratitude to Epstein for a £10,000 contribution towards an osteopathy course.

Further messages from 2009 and 2010 suggest that Mandelson, who was then serving as business secretary in Gordon Brown’s government, discussed sensitive government issues with Epstein, including advance notice of a €500 billion Eurozone bailout. Following the release of these files, Mandelson was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on February 23 and later released on bail.

Through his solicitors, he has stated that he is eager to clear his name.

Being named or pictured in the Epstein files is not an indication of wrongdoing.