Another senior royal has suddenly withdrawn from a high-profile public event, sparking a fresh wave of speculation as newly unsealed Epstein-related documents dominate headlines once again, with insiders insisting the decision was made purely to avoid distraction while commentators debate whether the timing is an unfortunate coincidence or a sign of the growing strain the renewed media storm is placing on the monarchy — a development that has reignited questions the Palace had hoped were firmly in the past.

Princess Sofia of Sweden is the latest royal to get caught up in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal after it was claimed that she met him on several occasions. Before marrying Prince Carl Philip of Sweden in 2015, Sofia was a reality television star and a lingerie model.

According to leaked emails, Epstein sent an invitation offering for the princess to visit him on his private island in the Caribbean. Published by the nonprofit site ddosecrets.com and reported in Swedish outlet Dagens Nyheter, the late sex offender also offered Sofia, who was aged 21 at the time, and her friend places at an acting school. The pair were reportedly introduced several times by a Swedish businesswoman, Princess Sofia’s mentor.

The businesswoman allegedly wrote in an email to Epstein on December 18, 2005: “This is Sofia, an aspiring actress who just arrived in New York.

“She’s the girl I told you about before I left, who I thought you might like to meet. Maybe we can visit before you go on holiday?”

Epstein replied: “I’m in the Caribbean. Does she want to come for a couple of days? I’ll send a ticket”.

According to the Swedish royal family, Sofia did not accept the invitation to Epstein’s infamous US Virgin Islands home called Little St James. They did not disclose how, and when, she met Epstein.

Alongside confirming that the meetings met prior to Epstein’s conviction, the statement read: “Princess Sofia has been introduced to the person in question on a few occasions around 2005.”

According to German outlet Bild, Sofia met Epstein during one of the dinner parties the mentor allegedly helped to organise at Epstein’s Upper East Side mansion.

According to the royal Family, Princess Sofia had no contact with Epstein after their meetings in 2005.