In 2008, Epstein was serving a prison sentence for soliciting sex from a minor. As part of his sentence, he was permitted to attend work during the day, whilst spending the night in his prison cell.
Kellen told committee members that she had potentially “organised meetings at Jeffrey’s office in Palm Beach, Florida, while he was on work release [from prison] and at the house in Palm Beach”, for Mountbatten-Windsor’s former wife Sarah Ferguson.
Kellen has been described as an “assistant” to Epstein and was named as a possible “co-conspirator” when he made a plea deal before being jailed. But she told the committee that she was unaware of this until it became public.
“I was not told this was happening. I was not asked about it. No one from law enforcement ever spoke with me, ever heard my side, ever asked me a single question,” she said in the testimony.
On Mountbatten-Windsor, Kellen told the committee: “We also went to Andrew’s private apartment at Buckingham Palace for dinner. And we were at Princess Beatrice’s party at Windsor Castle”.
The BBC contacted Buckingham Palace for a response and was directed to the on the record statement from last October which included a statement from the King and Queen.
“Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse,” it said.
Kellen was asked by Committee counsel, Brittany Brignac, whether she had witnessed “any inappropriate behaviour” from individuals including Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. She responded no.
A BBC News investigation this year revealed through the legal team of a woman who made an allegation against Mountbatten-Windsor claims of an encounter at the former prince’s home Royal Lodge in Windsor in 2010 before he had invited her to Buckingham Palace for tea. Thames Valley Police say they have been in contact with the woman’s lawyers and are assessing whether to investigate the allegation.
BBC News has approached Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and representatives for Princess Beatrice and Ghislaine Maxwell’s legal team for comment.
A spokesperson for Sarah Ferguson declined to comment.