In recent weeks Prince Andrew has been named in documents released by Jeffrey Epstein’s estate, and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson has been dropped by charities over an email she is said to have sent to Epstein. Now, controversy around Andrew’s links to the late financier have become front page news once again as two UK newspapers have published details of an email sent by Andrew to Epstein in 2011.
The Mail on Sunday and Sun on Sunday both had details of an email sent by Andrew to Epstein on February 28, 2011. This was the day after the Mail on Sunday published the now infamous image of Andrew with his arm around a young Virginia Giuffre.
“It would seem we are in this together and will have to rise above it,” both newspapers reported Andrew as having written to Epstein. He is said to have ended the email “Otherwise keep in close touch and we’ll play some more soon!!!!”
The timing of the contact is significant as Prince Andrew was unequivocal in his 2019 Newsnight interview that he had ceased contact with Epstein in 2010. He told interviewer Emily Maitlis that when he was photographed with Epstein in 2010, months after the convicted sex offender had completed his prison sentence, that he “went there with the sole purpose of saying to him that because he had been convicted, it was inappropriate for us to be seen together.”
“I said, ‘Look, because of what has happened, I don’t think it is appropriate that we should remain in contact,’ and by mutual agreement during that walk in the park we decided that we would part company and I left, I think it was the next day and to this day I never had any contact with him from that day forward,” the Prince said.
As well as the newspaper reports, which have gained widespread traction, the story is also set to be featured in a Channel 5 documentary this evening. This is just the latest development in a years-long scandal that has plagued the monarchy’s reputation and shows little sign of abating.
Prince Andrew has already stepped back as a working royal and relinquished his honorary military appointments. He has always denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein. However, the ongoing spotlight on his historical links to Epstein puts increased pressure on the royal family not to even be seen alongside him at family events. Andrew continues to live in the Royal Lodge on the Windsor Castle Estate under a long-term lease agreement with the Crown Estate, something that also raises questions as he is no longer a working royal.
Town & Country Contributing Editor Victoria Murphy has reported on the British Royal Family since 2010. She has interviewed Prince Harry and has travelled the world covering several royal tours. She is a frequent contributor to Good Morning America. Victoria authored Town & Country book The Queen: A Life in Pictures, released in 2021.
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