In late December 2000 and early 2001, Prince Andrew, then 40 and known for his playboy reputation as “Randy Andy,” stayed at the exclusive Amanpuri resort, reportedly in a £4,000-per-night villa. Epstein, the American financier later convicted of sex crimes, and Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking, were also present, with reports indicating Maxwell flew in with the prince and shared the same luxury accommodations.
Iconic images from the trip show Andrew relaxing on a multi-million-pound yacht off Phuket’s coast, surrounded by topless and semi-naked women enjoying the sun. Among them were British pop singer Jenny Frost from Atomic Kitten, then 22 and photographed topless, and socialite Normandie Keith, whom Andrew was captured playfully attempting to throw overboard.
By day, the group lounged on the yacht, but evenings reportedly took them to Patong, Phuket’s notorious red-light district, about an hour’s drive away. Patong is known for its go-go bars, massage parlors offering “happy endings,” and widespread prostitution. Accounts from the time, including those published in The Mirror and The Sun, claim Andrew and Epstein visited establishments featuring semi-naked dancers. One former bar manager recalled being “amazed” when the prince entered a topless go-go venue, accompanied by bodyguards, and ordered vodka.
The holiday occurred as Epstein was allegedly expanding his network of underage trafficking, though these details only emerged years later. Andrew has consistently denied any knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities at the time and maintains he ceased contact after becoming aware of them.
The resurfaced reports and photographs have reignited questions about the prince’s judgment, especially following the 2019 Epstein scandal that led to Andrew being stripped of his royal titles, HRH status, and public duties in 2022. He settled a civil lawsuit with accuser Virginia Giuffre out of court that year without admitting liability.
Buckingham Palace has not commented on the historical reports, and representatives for Andrew have previously stated he regrets his association with Epstein. The Thailand trip remains a stark illustration of the duke’s social circle before the full extent of Epstein’s crimes became public.
These events continue to fuel public and media interest in the royal family’s handling of the controversy, with no new allegations arising from the 2001 vacation itself.
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