Prince Andrew was mentioned by Bill Gates during the Microsoft co-founder’s testimony before the US House Oversight Committee as part of its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.
The Duke of York, whose full name is Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was referenced while Gates discussed his past interactions with the late financier. Prince Andrew stepped back from royal duties and lost his honorary military affiliations and royal patronages following the controversy surrounding his association with Epstein.
According to a newly released transcript, Gates told lawmakers he never discussed Jeffrey Epstein with Prince Andrew.
"Weirdly, in the set of photos that I guess Epstein kept, there is a photo of me and Prince Andrew at one of those official state meetings," Gates said, explaining that the image was taken at a UK government event and that Epstein was not present.
Gates told the committee he met Prince Andrew on two occasions during official visits to the United Kingdom, when the Duke of York was carrying out a role promoting British trade and investment. Photographs show the pair meeting at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in 2007 and again in London in 2018.
The billionaire said those encounters were limited to official engagements and that he had no conversations with Prince Andrew about Epstein.
During the testimony, Gates also disclosed the names of three women with whom he had extramarital affairs, as part of the committee's broader questioning.
