When Old Scandals Meet Royal Speculation
Leave it to Ghislaine Maxwell to drop what feels like a jaw-dropping royal rumor right as the public starts breathing again. The convicted Epstein associate, now serving 20 years, suggested—in a DOJ interview—that Jeffrey Epstein may have been set up on a date with none other than Princess Diana. Cue gasps, double takes, and an immediate reality check on timelines.
The claim arrived via a transcript from a two-day interview with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, meant to explore Maxwell’s sleazy social circles. But now, suddenly, it’s a late-night special summary nobody asked for—but everyone instantly clicked anyway.
Did She Really Say It? And Does It Even Make Sense?
The Claim—With a Royal Twist
Maxwell, in her polished-yet-aloof tone, said Epstein “met some truly fancy people” in London, including Rosa Monckton, one of Diana’s closest confidantes, and her husband Dominic Lawson. She mused that Epstein attended a big event organized by Monckton and “I believe it was organized by Rosa.” Then she dropped the line: “He may have been set up as a date for her [Diana].” But she followed up with polite disclaimers: “I don’t want to speak bad of Diana… I’m not going to do that.”
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Wait a Minute—Princess Diana Died in ’97
Here’s the rub: Maxwell hints it might have happened in the early 2000s, long after Diana’s tragic death in August 1997. That timeline doesn’t just stretch—it rattles. It’s like telling a vampire story at sunrise: plausible in fiction, impossible in reality.
Why Say It Now? Maxwell’s Candidacy for Clemency
Some observers say the whole thing is less revelation and more rehearsal—for a pardon. Maxwell’s interview was conducted by Todd Blanche, known for his loyalty to Trump, as she attempts to appeal directly to the administration for clemency. Now the DOJ has released tens of thousands of pages and audio to the public—but still no “client list” or royal selfies.
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By flattering the former president and claiming he was “never inappropriate,” Maxwell may be writing her own escape clause—symbolic or otherwise.
The Week
Public Reaction: From Snark to Snort
Critics didn’t hold back. Rep. Robert Garcia, a House Oversight Committee member, tweeted she’s a “known liar” attempting a pardon and insulting survivors by twisting the narrative.
Meanwhile, liberal pundits pointed out that anecdotes about royal gossip without proof are less “spilling tea” and more “dripping malpractice.”
Maxwell’s New Role: Lost Socialite or Strategic Survivor?
Let’s be clear: none of Maxwell’s allegations involve new evidence or even new names. There’s no confirmation Diana met Epstein or was aware of the setup. What it is—a sensational whisper from a household name poised between jail cell and potential pardon.
But this isn’t the first time Maxwell has tried to reframe her story. Recall her calm denial of wrongdoing and ghost-like laughter in DOJ transcripts, something MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell called “perverse,” as she laughed through testimony on human trafficking.
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The Royal Rumor Mill: Why It Matters for Pop Culture
Let’s admit it—this sounds like next season’s streaming docudrama in prototyping. Princess state secrets, socialite scandal, royal intrigue, political manuevering—it’s got all the tabloid ingredients.
For an American audience hooked on celebrity, royalty, and scandal, seeing Diana’s name in the same breath as Epstein and Maxwell is irresistible. Even if it’s a stretch, it’s still gulp-worthy pop culture fare.
Final Word: Mixing Fact With Fiction—At What Cost?
When Maxwell says Prince—or rather, princess—might have been “set up,” the question isn’t whether we believe the claim. It’s whether we still believe in fact over fantasy.
Because in this era of scandal saturation, a loosely-timed anecdote about a royal date walk isn’t just a rumor—it’s a flicker in the cultural conspiracy sensor. And whether Maxwell made it up or just misremembered, it’s a reminder that in celebrity-truth theater, speculation often wins standing ovations over substance.
Hollywood—and headlines—will be watching for the sequel.
