Princess Diana's Bridesmaid Opens Up About Her Visit To Jeffrey Epstein's Island
She travelled to Epstein's island via private jet in 1999
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Grace Back
On July 2, Jeffrey Epstein's ex-girlfriend and longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell was arrested on multiple criminal charges related to the late businessman's sexual abuse of young women and girls. As part of the ongoing court proceedings, previously sealed documents have been made public, including travel logs from Epstein's private jet.
Among those included the name of British writer Clementine Hambro, a great-granddaughter of Sir Winston Churchill, who was also a young bridesmaid at the 1981 royal wedding of Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana. Hambro has since released a statement clarifying her connection to Epstein, and the purpose of those trips, one of which was to his private island, Little St. James.
"The first flight was a work trip with female colleagues to look at Epstein’s new home in Santa Fe to discuss what art he was going to buy," she said, per the Daily Mail. Hambro was an employee of Christie’s auction house in New York at the time, according to the New York Post.
"The second trip, to Little St James, was a personal invitation, which I thought would be fun to accept, but I didn’t know anyone there, didn’t really enjoy myself, and never went back," she said. "My heart breaks for all the survivors, now I know what happened on that island."
In the statement, Hambro added that she was not abused, and she did not witness anyone being abused while on either of the two trips.
"I have been completely horrified about the revelations of his conduct since then. I was clearly very lucky, my heart goes out to those who were abused by him, and I trust they get the justice they so deserve," she said.
She added, “I was young and naive, and could not conceive of what was to unfold.”
Maxwell was arrested earlier this year on charges related to the sexual abuse of young women and girls, and is currently in custody, awaiting trial. She has denied the accusations against her and pleaded not guilty. Her trial date is set for July 12, 2021.
According toThe Guardian, if she is convicted, Maxwell could face up to 35 years in prison.
Grace BackGrace is our Digital News and Entertainment Editor. When not stuck in a seemingly endless Instagram scroll, you'll find Grace with her head in a good book.
