Newly disclosed correspondence has revealed that the Duke of York, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, told Jeffrey Epstein it would be “good to catch up in person” just months after the financier’s release from prison for procuring a child for prostitution.
The emails, released as part of unsealed court documents from a lawsuit in the US Virgin Islands, appear to support the long-standing theory that the Duke felt compelled to remain in Epstein’s good graces, potentially for fear of information the convicted sex offender possessed.
Epstein, who was jailed in Florida and released in July 2009, emailed the then-Prince Andrew on 15 April 2010. He proposed a meeting in London with American banker Jes Staley later that month. The Duke replied that he would be abroad on the suggested date but added, “I’ll look and see if I can make a couple of days before the summer. It would be good to catch up in person.”
This friendly tone, so soon after Epstein’s conviction for serious sexual offences, has raised eyebrows. The two were subsequently photographed together in New York’s Central Park in December 2010—a meeting Andrew later claimed was intended to end their friendship.
Calls for Investigation Intensify
The email revelation coincides with a fresh call for the Duke to be investigated. Virginia Giuffre, who took her own life earlier this year, had long alleged that as a teenager, she was forced to have sex with Andrew on three occasions after being trafficked by Epstein and his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell. The Duke has consistently denied these claims.
In a 2021 civil case brought by Ms Giuffre, the Duke settled out of court for a sum believed to be around £12 million, without admission of liability.
Speaking to television news, Ms Giuffre’s brother, Sky Roberts, praised the King for stripping his brother of his royal titles and removing him from his home at Royal Lodge. “But it’s not enough,” he stated. “He’s still walking around a free man… He should be investigated.”
Mr Roberts also accused the US government of “safeguarding documents of people that are implicated” with Epstein and Maxwell, calling for a full investigation and the release of all relevant files.
Public Backing for the King’s Action
A recent YouGov poll indicates strong public support for the King’s decision to remove Andrew’s princely title and his residence at Royal Lodge. Of those surveyed, 79% believed it was “the right decision.” However, 58% felt the monarch had acted “too slowly” in his response to the escalating scandal.
Timeline for Departure from Royal Lodge
While it is understood the Duke will vacate Royal Lodge as soon as is practicable, reports suggest he will not relocate until after Christmas. This delay is attributed to the logistical complexities of leaving the 30-room Windsor property he shares with his ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess of York.
The Duke is expected to move to a property on the King’s Sandringham Estate, the traditional venue for the royal family’s Christmas gathering. This timeline would avoid any potential awkward encounters during the festive period. The Duchess of York will need to make her own separate accommodation arrangements.
In a related matter, Buckingham Palace has confirmed that the late Queen Elizabeth II’s corgis, Muick and Sandy, which were adopted by the Duke and Duchess, will “remain in the care of their family.” The palace did not specify whether this refers to the Duke, the Duchess, or their daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
