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At first glance it looks like any other high-society photo – the future President and First Lady of America alongside the Queen’s second son.

But lurking in the background, looking directly at the camera, is now-notorious paedophile and pal of Prince Andrew, Jeffrey Epstein.

British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, alleged by the billionaire’s young victims to have been complicit in their abuse, is also pictured.

The never-before seen photo sheds further light on the Duke of York’s then friendship with disgraced financier.

Epstein killed himself in jail this month while awaiting trial on child sex trafficking charges.

It also shows the global scale of the widening scandal that now embroils a number of the world’s most powerful and wealthy men.

Prince Andrew’s presence will also increase intrigue as he continues to reel from sex abuse allegations revealed in court documents.

(Image: Mirrorpix)

It is the first time the Duke, Epstein and Maxwell have been captured in the same frame.

The image, printed by the Daily Mirror for the first time, was taken at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida in 2000.

Andrew was guest of honour at the star-studded gala, hosted by Trump eight years before Epstein’s conviction for child sex offences.

It took place just months before Andrew’s accuser, Virginia Roberts, began working at the club as a changing room assistant.

Within a year of the snap being taken she alleges disgraced Epstein had lent her out to sleep with the prince.

The duke strenuously denies the allegation, which was thrown out by a Judge in Florida as “immaterial and impertinent”.

In the photo, Trump and his then-girlfriend, Melania Knauss, are looking directly into the in-house snapper’s lens.

(Image: Mirrorpix)

Andrew, wearing a grey suit, appears distracted as he glances off-camera.

Grinning British socialite Maxwell, 57, leans in to speak to another woman.

Epstein, in a blazer and blue jeans, looms in the background.

In another snap Andrew and Epstein are seen laughing with Melania and politician Gwendolyn Beck.

Beck, who once ran unsuccessfully for congress, was in Epstein’s “little black book”.

Roberts says she was approached by Maxwell about giving massages to men after starting work at the club.

She said she later had sex with Andrew on three occasions in London, Palm Beach and the US Virgin Islands.

Following a New York court hearing earlier this week, she said of the prince: “He knows what he’s done. I hope he comes clean about it.”

(Image: Mirrorpix)

Last weekend Andrew expressed “tremendous sympathy” for Epstein’s victims.

He admitted it was a “mistake” to continue to meet the billionaire after his 2008 jail sentence for procuring teenagers for prostitution.

In a statement released by Buckingham Palace, he said: “I met Mr Epstein in 1999. During the time I knew him, I saw him infrequently and probably no more than once or twice a year. I have stayed in a number of his residences.

“At no stage during the limited time I spent with him did I see, witness or suspect any behaviour of the sort that led to his conviction.”

(Image: Mirrorpix)

Under a plea deal Epstein had been locked up for 18 months, but served just 13. A search of his home uncovered sex toys and a dentist’s chair.

After Epstein’s arrest this year, President Trump claimed: “I was not a fan of his.”

But in 2002 he said: “I’ve known Jeff for 15 years. Terrific guy. He’s a lot of fun to be with.

“It is even said he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many are on the younger side.”

Maxwell, daughter of late Mirror owner Robert, strenuously denies any wrongdoing.

Her spokesman said: “The allegations made against Ghislaine are untrue.”

A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman refused to comment on the photo.