Prince Andrew's friend Ghislaine Maxwell is reportedly preparing to speak to the FBI about their connection to pedophile, Jeffrey Epstein.

Maxwell, the daughter of disgraced newspaper tycoon Robert Maxwell, has been accused of procuring underage girls for Epstein, a claim that she denies.

The 57-year-old is said to be ready to come out of hiding and defend herself and Prince Andrew.

A source told The Sun: 'Ghislaine is preparing to speak, whether by talking to the FBI or giving a statement to the media. She has to defend herself. She has no option. She will have to address this guilt by association.'

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Prince Andrew's (right) friend Ghislaine Maxwell (left) is reportedly preparing to speak to the FBI about their connection to pedophile, Jeffrey Epstein

This is believed to be Ghislaine Maxwell, in the background of a June 8 snap taken in Geneva during the Cash and Rocket charity London to Monte Carlo rally - just days after her secret meeting with Prince Andrew

Maxwell, the daughter of disgraced newspaper tycoon Robert Maxwell, has been accused of procuring underage girls for Epstein (pictured together in 2005), a claim that she denies. The 57-year-old is said to be ready to come out of hiding and defend herself and Prince Andrew

Maxwell is also claiming that a photo that shows her and Prince Andrew posing in a photo with Virginia Roberts (center), who has said she had sex with the prince when she was 17, may have been doctored

Maxwell is also claiming that a photo that shows her and Prince Andrew posing together with Virginia Roberts, who has said she had sex with the prince when she was 17, may have been doctored.

The photo was reportedly taken at Maxwell's London home in March 2001.

A source told The Sun that Maxwell 'has no memory of it'. The source added that Maxwell thinks the photo 'is fishy' because 'it is one of very few photos that does not bear a time and date stamp'.

Earlier on Sunday, Johanna Sjoberg, who claimed that Prince Andrew groped her was pictured for the first time in a decade.

It was reported that Sjoberg may also offer key evidence to the FBI about the Duke of York's relationship with Epstein.

The 39-year-old is willing to talk to law enforcement about her accusation that the prince groped her at the billionaire's home when she was 21.

More than decade since she first made the allegation, Sjoberg was pictured in the Mirror. She is one of two women who have come forward to allege sexual contact with the royal.

A source said: 'As a victim of Epstein, Sjoberg's testimony over how she was recruited and abused is vital to the FBI.

Earlier on Sunday, Johanna Sjoberg (left), who claimed that Prince Andrew (right) groped her was pictured for the first time in a decade. It was reported that Sjoberg may also offer key evidence to the FBI about the Duke of York's relationship with Epstein

Prince Andrew lost his $319,865 Sovereign Grant after his car crash interview (pictured) on Newsnight, when he told Emily Maitlis he had not slept with Roberts, who is now 35

'Despite Epstein's suicide, they are ­determined all those who enabled his crimes will face justice. It is a promise they made to the victims.

'Andrew has had serious allegations made against him and agents are determined that a person's standing in life does not make them immune from being ­questioned.'

Sjoberg says that the duke groped her breast while he sat her on his knee at the pedophile's New York home.

Her accusation, which first aired in 2007, is understood have given Virginia Roberts the courage to come forward with her claims.

Roberts says that Prince Andrew had sex with her when she was 17 years old.

The FBI is believed to be looking at ways to interview Prince Andrew on British soil.

Agents are keen to question the duke about his knowledge of Epstein. When Andrew stepped down from royal duties, he said he would be willing to help any law enforcement agency with their investigations.

He has lost his $319,865 Sovereign Grant after his car crash interview on Newsnight, when he told Emily Maitlis he had not slept with Roberts, who is now 35.

Epstein (pictured) left his fortune to his brother, Mark, and killed himself in prison in August while facing sex trafficking charges

One royal source told the paper that the prince thinks he'll be able to clear his name by speaking to the FBI.

Friends of Sjoberg say that she is 'pleased' the duke is addressing the accusations facing him.

She accused him of groping her by taking a Spitting Image puppet of himself and placing its hand on her breast.

She has refused to comment further on the allegations, telling the paper her lawyer is handling the matter. Her claim about the prince was originally made in US court papers.

Sjoberg leveled her allegations during a defamation case which Roberts brought against Maxwell.

Epstein flew Sjoberg and Roberts from Palm Beach to Manhattan to entertain the duke.

Sjoberg also told a Sunday newspaper that the prince had placed his hand on her breast.

Andrew continued to be friends with Epstein despite him being convicted of child sex offenses in 2008.

The friends were pictured together walking through Central Park in New York two years later.

Prince Andrew told BBC that he was only visiting to break off his friendship with Epstein.

Roberts has taken part in a BBC Panorama interview about her claims and the episode will air on December 2.

The prince denies any wrongdoing. Epstein left his fortune to his brother, Mark, and killed himself in prison in August while facing sex trafficking charges.