Ghislaine Maxwell's Brother Criticizes Prince Andrew's Lack of Family Support

Ian Maxwell says Prince Andrew 'doesn't even have a supportive family' amid his recent arrest.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Ghislaine Maxwell's brother, Ian Maxwell, has criticized the British royal family for its treatment of Prince Andrew in the wake of his recent arrest. Ian claims that Andrew 'doesn't even have a supportive family' and that 'even his daughters are at sixes and sevens about what to do.' Ian also defended his sister Ghislaine, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2022 for federal sex crimes charges, arguing that she was a 'scapegoat' for Jeffrey Epstein's crimes.

Why it matters

The Maxwell family's criticism of the royal family's handling of the Prince Andrew scandal sheds light on the ongoing fallout from the Epstein case and the complex family dynamics involved. It also raises questions about the royal family's support for Andrew and whether he is being unfairly singled out compared to other members of the family.

The details

Ian Maxwell, Ghislaine Maxwell's 70-year-old brother, gave an interview to The Telegraph criticizing the British royal family's treatment of Prince Andrew. Ian said that Andrew 'doesn't even have a supportive family' and that 'even his daughters are at sixes and sevens about what to do.' Andrew was recently arrested by Thames Valley Police on his 66th birthday on suspicion of misconduct in public office, accused of sharing confidential information with Jeffrey Epstein while acting as a U.K. trade envoy. Ian defended his sister Ghislaine, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2022 for federal sex crimes charges, arguing that she was a 'scapegoat' for Epstein's crimes and that her trial was 'not fair' and her conviction 'isn't safe.'

  • Prince Andrew was arrested by Thames Valley Police on his 66th birthday on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
  • Ghislaine Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2022 after being convicted of federal sex crimes charges.

The players

Ian Maxwell

Ghislaine Maxwell's 70-year-old brother and a staunch defender of his sister.

Ghislaine Maxwell

Ghislaine Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2022 after being convicted of federal sex crimes charges. Ian Maxwell argues that she was a 'scapegoat' for Jeffrey Epstein's crimes.

Prince Andrew

Prince Andrew was recently arrested by Thames Valley Police on suspicion of misconduct in public office, accused of sharing confidential information with Jeffrey Epstein while acting as a U.K. trade envoy.

Jeffrey Epstein

Jeffrey Epstein was a disgraced financier and sex trafficker who died by suicide in 2019 after being arrested on federal sex trafficking charges.

Virginia Giuffre

Virginia Giuffre accused Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell of trafficking her to Prince Andrew three times, including an incident in 2001 when she was 17. Giuffre died by suicide in 2025 at the age of 41.

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What they’re saying

“There [Andrew] is, kicked out of his home, completely isolated and unlike Ghislaine, he doesn't even have a supportive family; even his daughters are at sixes and sevens about what to do.”

— Ian Maxwell, Ghislaine Maxwell's brother (The Telegraph)

“My sister is the fall guy. Somebody had to pay the price for what Epstein did and so the government and the media chose her. I genuinely believe that if Epstein were alive he would be incarcerated and she would be free.”

— Ian Maxwell, Ghislaine Maxwell's brother (The Telegraph)

“Her trial wasn't fair and her conviction isn't safe. Ghislaine has done nothing wrong and the length of her conviction is outrageous.”

— Ian Maxwell, Ghislaine Maxwell's brother (The Telegraph)

What’s next

The judge in Prince Andrew's case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow him out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing fallout from the Epstein scandal and the complex family dynamics involved, as well as questions about the royal family's support for Prince Andrew and whether he is being unfairly singled out compared to other members of the family.