Ghislaine Maxwell was reportedly introduced to VIP guests at Buckingham Palace as 'Prince Andrew's ex-girlfriend'

The 61-year-old prince appears in a newly-published photograph from 2002, which shows him at his mother Queen Elizabeth's official residence with Maxwell. Photo / BBC

Ghislaine Maxwell was reportedly introduced to VIP guests at Buckingham Palace as "Prince Andrew's ex-girlfriend".

The 61-year-old prince appears in a newly-published photograph from 2002, which shows him at his mother Queen Elizabeth's official residence with Maxwell - who is facing 40 years in jail after being convicted of sex offences - as well as former US president Bill Clinton.

The former US leader was being given a tour of the palace with disgraced 'House of Cards' actor Kevin Spacey, and another member of the group claimed Maxwell seemed to know the royal residence well.

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph newspaper - who have published the photograph - the unnamed person said: "Ghislaine Maxwell was the one who led us into Buckingham Palace.

"We walked in the main gates and Ghislaine showed us where we needed to be. She knew her way around this area of the palace. Ghislaine was described to me [as] an ex-girlfriend of Prince Andrew's.

"The tour was for Clinton and Spacey – they were Prince Andrew's guests. But Ghislaine seemed to be leading the charge. The impression we all had was that there was some relationship there between Prince Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell.

"They clearly knew each other very well. She was very friendly and cheery."

Prince Andrew with Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell in the background.

Sources have previously insisted Andrew - who is being sued by Virginia Giuffre, who has alleged she was forced into having sex with him when she was just 17 years old - had "no recollection" of being present for the tour, which took place on 30 September, 2002.

The photograph was taken in the ballroom and shows Andrew pointing into the distance while Maxwell, to his left, looks over at Mr Clinton while he examined two thrones.

Giuffre - who was formerly known as Virginia Roberts - has accused convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein - who committed suicide in August 2019 - and his one-time girlfriend Maxwell of arranging and forcing her into having sex with Andrew in 2001.

The prince has denied all of the allegations and in legal documents insisted he and Maxwell were not "close friends".

Andrew - who is not facing any legal action in the UK - previously requested a trial by jury and is due to sit for a deposition in London next month.