The release of newly disclosed Jeffrey Epstein-related documents by the U.S. Department of Justice has renewed scrutiny of Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, after a previously unexplained photograph surfaced among the materials-prompting a public dispute over what the image depicts.
The controversy intensified after Lady Victoria Hervey, a former girlfriend of Prince Andrew, argued in a podcast appearance that the photograph had been widely misinterpreted. Speaking on Dan Wootton's podcast, Hervey suggested the image-showing Andrew kneeling over a woman whose face is not visible-may simply reflect a training exercise.
"A CPR training course," Hervey said, describing what she believes the image shows.
The photograph emerged from a newly released tranche of Epstein-related files that include millions of pages of material, according to reporting surrounding the document release. The Justice Department did not provide captions or explanatory notes for the images, leaving their circumstances unclear.
Without official context, the image has circulated widely online, fueling speculation about its origin and meaning.
Hervey used the podcast to reiterate her longstanding defense of Andrew in relation to Epstein-linked allegations. During the discussion, host Dan Wootton pressed her on the widely circulated photograph showing Andrew with Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein's most prominent accusers.
Hervey maintained her earlier position regarding that image.
"Absolutely," she said when asked if she believed the photograph was fabricated.
The conversation also touched on whether Andrew and Giuffre ever had consensual sexual contact. Hervey responded with the same single-word answer-"Absolutely"-without elaborating or referencing new evidence from the recently released files.
At another point in the discussion, Hervey criticized the media reaction surrounding the newly surfaced photo.
"You were falsely accused, and for you to jump the gun on this. You went there just for clicks," she told Wootton.
Hervey said she had contacted someone she identified as Leah, whom she described as Ghislaine Maxwell's lawyer, and referenced Maxwell's background as a trained emergency medical technician as part of the basis for her interpretation that the image may depict a CPR training session.
The Justice Department documents themselves provide no confirmation of that claim.
Online reaction has been sharply divided. Social media users debating the image have described Hervey's explanation as both plausible and implausible, underscoring how entrenched opinions have become regarding the Duke of York's connections to Epstein.
The resurfaced photograph arrives as Andrew continues to face reputational fallout tied to the Epstein scandal. The duke has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and has stepped back from public royal duties.
Separate reporting in the U.K. has also revived criticism of Andrew's conduct during his tenure as Britain's special representative for international trade and investment, a role he held until 2011.
Among the allegations revisited in recent coverage were claims from retired civil servants about unusually high travel expenses and other controversial spending tied to the role. These claims are not directly connected to the newly released Epstein files but have reentered public discussion alongside the document release.
Former diplomat Sir Ivor Roberts, who served as U.K. ambassador to Italy, also recalled an encounter during a 2004 visit to Florence involving the Duke of York.
"I've never heard of you," Andrew reportedly said to a member of the Schiaparelli family, according to Roberts, who described the remark as "just gratuitously rude" in comments reported by The i Paper.
Despite the renewed attention, the Justice Department files provide no definitive explanation for the disputed photograph. The circumstances surrounding the image-including when it was taken and what activity it depicts-remain unclear.
