DONALD Trump and Prince Andrew are pictured posing with Ghislaine Maxwell in photos taken at Heidi Klum's hookers and pimps-themed Halloween party in 2000.

The president this week claimed not to know the prince, currently under scrutiny over his friendship with Maxwell and late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, despite having been seen with him many times over a period of years.

14 Donald Trump and future first lady Melania Trump pose with Ghislaine Maxwell at a Halloween party in 2000

14 Prince Andrew is also pictured at the party with long-time friend Maxwell

14 Trump and Melania with a separate event in Palm Beach, Florida the same year Credit: Getty - Contributor

In photos obtained by DailyMail.com, Trump is seen with one arm round then-girlfriend Melania and the other round Maxwell, an alleged accomplice of Epstein, who killed himself in August while awaiting trial on charges of sex trafficking.

Also pictured at the party, hosted by German supermodel Heidi Klum, is Prince Andrew, seen with the hand of long-time friend Maxwell draped over his shoulder.

Maxwell is alleged to have helped tycoon and one-time boyfriend Epstein procure young girls to abuse, and Andrew has in recent weeks faced increasing scrutiny over his association with the pair.

Both Maxwell and Prince Andrew deny any wrongdoing.

In November, Andrew stepped down from his royal duties after a widely-criticised BBC interview addressing allegations of sexual contact between him and Epstein victim Virginia Roberts when she was 17.

On an episode of BBC Panorama this week, Roberts repeated claims that she was trafficked for sex with Andrew on three separate occasions.

Other photos from the night show Andrew in conversation with host Klum and later among a crowd of revellers.

TRUMP SAID ANDREW WAS 'A LOT OT FUN'

Since media attention on Andrew has grown, President Trump has sought to distance himself from the prince, telling reporters in London earlier this week: "I don't know Prince Andrew, but it's a tough story."

Despite the claim, images show the pair spending time together on numerous occasions over a period of years.

The two were pictured shaking hands in Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace during the president's state visit to the UK in June of this year.

They were also seen alongside Epstein and Maxwell at another party in 2000 in Palm Beach, Florida.

In an interview in the same year, Trump told US celebrity magazine PEOPLE that Andrew was "a lot of fun to be with".

14 Prince Andrew and Trump seen together in Westminster Abbey during the president's state visit to the UK in June Credit: Getty - Contributor

And there they are, with Epstein in the background. pic.twitter.com/KanELOPXBQ — Andrew Hsieh 🇬🇧🇪🇺🇭🇰🟡 (@AndrewOnSeeAIR) December 3, 2019

The Sun's political editor Tom Newton Dunn also tweeted this week: “When we interviewed [Trump] in July 2018, he told us he played 18 holes of golf with Andrew (and he insisted he won too)."

Members of the public slammed Trump's denial online and posted several snaps of the US billionaire and the prince together - including one showing Epstein in the background.

'TRUMP AND MAXWELL CLEARLY KNEW EACH OTHER'

President Trump is known to have been friendly with Epstein, and has been pictured with him on multiple occasions in the past, although Epstein himself does not appear in the latest set of images.

A witness told the Mail that Maxwell and Trump appeared to be on friendly terms, and that the pair chatted for around 15 minutes before she and Prince Andrew left to attend a different party.

"Prince Andrew was with Ghislaine and they were greeted by Heidi Klum," they said.

"While Andrew was chatting with Heidi, Ghislaine went over to speak with Donald Trump.

"Donald and Ghislaine were chatting for about 15 or 20 minutes.

"It seemed clear they already knew each other.

MOST READ IN NEWS Exclusive 'HE'S DEVASTATED' Kyle Walker 'furious' after fiancée admits to lockdown fling with toyboy SCARED WHITTY-LESS UK faces Covid disaster, top scientists will warn in TV message today GRINCHES Mum reveals HUGE Xmas gift haul for daughter - but some parents brand kid 'spoilt' KEEP CALM Supermarket bosses urge Brits NOT to panic buy & insist there is plenty of stock XMAS 'GIFT' PM to consider lifting 'rule of six' on Xmas so families can celebrate together Comment TREVOR KAVANAGH Boris Johnson is isolated & his allies now seem ready to tear him down Exclusive 'LAZY PM' Leaked govt poll reveals Brits have little faith in PM's handling of the pandemic SHORT SHARP LOCK Pubs & restaurants could shut completely within days in two-week lockdown BABY HORROR Man 'cut open pregnant wife's stomach to check baby's gender as he wanted son' RAPE ORDEAL Five teens arrested after woman, 19, 'gang raped' in 1am attack in Portsmouth

"Andrew also said hello to Donald.

"They were friends and any time Donald arrived at a party he made sure to say hello to every single celebrity. Always."

14 Andrew is also pictured among a crowd of revellers at the Halloween bash

14 Andrew gained a reputation as a 'party prince' in the 1990s and 2000s

14 Andrew is pictured chatting with host Klum and Maxwell

14 Andrew and Maxwell have been friends for many years

14 Andrew pictured again in conversation with Klum in costume

14 Andrew has faced questions about his association with Maxwell and Epstein in the years around when the photos were taken

14 Andrew is pictured with his arm around Epstein accuser Virginia Roberts when she was 17

14

14 Prince Andrew pictured with friend Epstein in 2010 Credit: Jae Donnelly

14 Virginia Roberts this week reiterated her allegations against Andrew in an episode of BBC Panorama Credit: BBC One