Newly disclosed documents released by the United States Department of Justice shed further light on the relationship between Prince Andrew and the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, revealing email exchanges that continued shortly after Epstein completed a sentence for sex-related offences in 2010.
Among the materials—part of a large release comprising millions of documents, videos, and images—are emails indicating that Prince Andrew, then a senior working member of the British royal family, discussed the possibility of hosting Epstein at Buckingham Palace. In one exchange from September 2010, Epstein requested private time during a visit to London, to which Andrew responded by suggesting a dinner at the palace and assuring privacy. It remains unclear whether such a meeting ultimately took place.
Subsequent emails show the two men remained in contact days later. Epstein mentioned being accompanied by Ghislaine Maxwell, later convicted for her role in facilitating Epstein’s abuse network, and asked about Andrew’s schedule. Andrew replied with details of official engagements and reiterated his availability at Buckingham Palace later that day.
The correspondence dates from shortly after Epstein’s release from house arrest following a 13-month sentence in Florida for soliciting a minor. The timing has drawn renewed scrutiny, particularly given Prince Andrew’s later public statements that he sought to sever ties with Epstein around that period.
The documents also reference earlier exchanges in which Epstein offered to introduce Andrew to a 26-year-old Russian woman, whom he described in complimentary terms. Andrew responded positively to the suggestion. In another message, Andrew asked Epstein whether it felt “good to be free” following his release.
The latest disclosure has renewed public attention on a range of high-profile figures connected to Epstein. The files include references to former U.S. President Donald Trump, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, and British politician Lord Mandelson, though no new allegations of criminal conduct are made against them in the documents. Gates has previously acknowledged meetings with Epstein and stated they were a mistake.
Additional emails concern Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, who had previously acknowledged receiving financial assistance from Epstein during a period of personal debt. In messages from 2009, she thanked Epstein for his support in personal terms. Images of Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie also appear in connection with electronic correspondence sent by Prince Andrew.
Ghislaine Maxwell features prominently throughout the records, including earlier emails from 2002 in which she and Andrew exchanged messages regarding potential travel to Epstein’s private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. In those exchanges, Andrew indicated he might prioritise time with his children instead, while Maxwell responded with light-hearted remarks.
The document release also includes a statement from a woman who said she worked as a masseuse for Epstein in the late 1990s. In a submission made in 2021, she stated that she felt uncomfortable when Epstein asked her to massage Prince Andrew, expressing concern that the request may have involved expectations beyond professional boundaries. She reported seeing both Andrew and Trump during her time working for Epstein. Both men have consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Prince Andrew’s past explanations regarding his continued association with Epstein have faced renewed examination in light of the emails. In a 2019 BBC Newsnight interview, he stated that a 2010 visit to New York was intended to formally end the friendship. However, newly released messages from the same period include expressions of anticipation about meeting Epstein and references to future discussions.
The documents also show that Andrew sent Epstein a Christmas message after their New York meeting, describing it as good to have spent time with his “U.S. family.”
The release of these materials represents the most extensive disclosure related to Epstein to date. While they do not introduce new criminal charges, they add detail to the timeline of Epstein’s associations and have intensified scrutiny of those who maintained contact with him after his conviction.
