Ghislaine Maxwell has been seen in public for the first time since close friend Jeffrey Epstein apparently committed suicide while he was awaiting trial for sex crimes.

The British socialite, 57, was photographed eating at an In-N-Out burger restaurant in Los Angeles on Monday while reading a book entitled 'The Book of Honor: The Secret Lives and Deaths of CIA Operatives.'

When confronted, she replied: 'Well, I guess this is the last time I'll be eating here!'

Maxwell has previously been accused in court papers of helping to procure underage girls for Epstein to abuse - claims that she has denied.

The photos were first published by the New York Post, which said one diner went up and spoke to Maxwell as she ate alongside her pet dog.

'Are you who I think you are?' the diner allegedly said. She replied, 'Yes, I am.'