An American insider has alleged that Ghislaine Maxwell requested Prince Andrew write a tribute for Jeffrey Epstein's 50th birthday celebrations in 2003. The Duke of York, now 65, was allegedly approached by Maxwell to contribute a personal message for the milestone birthday album.

Maxwell, currently serving a 20-year prison term for trafficking minors, reportedly dedicated more than 12 months to gathering written tributes from Epstein's influential associates. The leather-bound, gold-embossed album was subsequently seized by American authorities during their investigation into Epstein's criminal network.

A source informed the Sunday People: "Ghislaine was the driving force behind the birthday tributes." The source added that Maxwell "wanted it to be a who's who of Epstein's inner circle, and she leaned on a lot of people to write something."

The project wasn't merely about collecting casual birthday wishes. According to the insider, Maxwell sought meaningful and personal contributions, presenting participation as a privilege, celebrating Epstein's supposed brilliance and generosity.

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"It wasn't just casual greetings. Ghislaine wanted messages that were personal, meaningful," the source explained. The insider revealed that "Jeffrey... always saw Andrew as the pinnacle of his pals, and Ghislaine made sure he was asked to contribute."

Maxwell reportedly portrayed the album as honouring Epstein's exceptional intellect and charitable nature. "She framed it as a celebration of Jeffrey's brilliance, his generosity, his supposed unique mind. She made it sound like an honour to be included," the source stated.

Whether the Duke of York ultimately provided a message remains unknown. GB News has contacted Andrew's office for comment.

The Duke's association with the convicted sex offender was already firmly established by 2003. Their initial meeting occurred in 1999 through Maxwell's introduction, leading to Andrew staying at Epstein's residences across New York, Palm Beach and the US Virgin Islands.

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Ghislaine Maxwell, pictured here with Epstein, was jailed in 2022

The financier received reciprocal hospitality at several royal estates, including Balmoral, Windsor Castle and Sandringham. He also attended Royal Ascot as Andrew's guest.

The Duke has maintained he had no awareness of Epstein's criminal activities, which first became public knowledge in 2006. Two years later, Epstein received a conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor.

The disgraced financier took his own life in a Manhattan detention facility in 2019 while facing federal sex trafficking charges.

The birthday album's existence gained public attention following allegations that Donald Trump had submitted a handwritten message to Epstein in 2003.

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The Wall Street Journal alleged the note contained a crude sketch of an unclothed woman and a signature designed to resemble intimate body hair. Trump has strongly denied this and is currently suing the publication over the report.

The purported message stated: "A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy Birthday - and may every day be another wonderful secret," continuing with "We have certain things in common, Jeffrey."

Trump has vehemently rejected these claims and launched a £7.46billion lawsuit against the publication, calling the report "fake". He told journalists: "I don't draw pictures of women. It's not my language, it's not my words."

Former President Bill Clinton also provided what The Mail on Sunday described as a "warm and gushing" contribution, printed on stationery bearing "From the desk of William Jefferson Clinton".

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Prince Andrew stepped down as a working member of the Royal Family in 2019

Virginia Giuffre, who claimed Epstein trafficked her as a teenager, alleged in 2014 court documents that she was compelled to engage in sexual activity with Andrew on three separate occasions. The Duke has "vehemently" rejected these accusations.

The Prince reached a financial settlement with Giuffre in 2022 whilst continuing to assert his innocence. He stated he had no memory of encountering her.

Giuffre died in Australia earlier this year at 41, having taken her own life.