Andrew had dinner with Saudi investor linked to the 9/11 hijackers to discuss investing in Sarah Ferguson’s ‘brand’
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor had dinner with a Saudi millionaire linked to the 9/11 hijackers where they discussed plans to invest in Sarah Ferguson’s ‘brand’, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.
Astonishing emails in the Epstein Files show that Andrew and his former wife Ms Ferguson secretly met with the businessman, who was investigated by the FBI in connection to the September 11 attacks, before arranging for the ‘friend’ to meet Jeffrey Epstein. The dinner took place in London in 2010 when Andrew was trade envoy but it was not one of his official engagements.
The Saudi entrepreneur, Adel Ghazzawi, now lives in Dubai but his family once owned and lived in a luxury home in Florida which was frequently visited by the al-Qaeda terrorists ahead of the devastating attacks. There is no evidence suggesting Mr Ghazzawi was aware of their plans, or to suggest that the former Duke and Duchess of York knew of these connections.
But in an email sent to Epstein in January 2010, Ms Ferguson said: ‘My friend Adel Ghazzawi is in New York, and I would love for you to say Hello… He had dinner with Prince Andrew and I last night and we both thought you should meet.’
She went on to explain that Mr Ghazzawi was on a flight to New York from London and that she wanted Epstein to discuss ‘very interesting investment opportunities’ with him as he was a ‘big investor’.
She added: ‘He wants to invest into me and my brand going forward. Mothers Army included!’
While it is unclear whether Mr Ghazzawi eventually invested in Ms Ferguson’s company Mothers Army or her ‘brand’, further emails show that he did meet with Epstein that same week, which was organised by the Duchess’s assistant.
After the meeting, Epstein emailed Mr Ghazzawi to ask for ‘any deals you think are unique’, copying in Ms Ferguson who replied: ‘Ok. Briefing David today too’.
Saudi entrepreneur, Adel Ghazzawi, once owned and lived in a luxury home in Florida which was frequently visited by al-Qaeda terrorists ahead of the attacks
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and his former wife Sarah Ferguson secretly met with the Saudi businessman, who was linked to the 9/11 hijackers
David is understood to be David Stern, a businessman who acted as a go-between for Andrew and Epstein as well as a senior advisor to the former Duke.
According to news reports, Mr Ghazzawi had connections to the 9/11 hijackers, but no criminal action was ultimately pursued against him. His father, Esam Ghazzawi, was a money manager for the Saudi royal family at the time of the attacks and FBI documents much later revealed that two 9/11 terrorists had spent time at his property in Sarasota, Florida, while taking flying lessons in nearby Venice.
Mr Ghazzawi, now 55 and residing in Dubai where he owns a luxury beach club, spent time living at the property alongside his sister, Annoud, and her husband, Abdulaziz Al-Hijji, before the couple left suddenly two weeks before the September 2001 attacks.
Years later, a Florida law enforcement report said that the couple left with the power still on and three cars left at the property, adding: ‘They left behind valuable items, clothing, jewellery and food in a manner that indicated they fled unexpectedly without prior preparation or knowledge.’
The MoS approached Andrew and Mr Ghazzawi for comment. A spokesman for Ms Ferguson declined to comment.
