‘They sat on it’: Epstein survivor Jess Michaels accuses Royal Family of shielding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor after receiving explosive emails six years ago

Epstein survivor Jess Michaels has accused the Royal Family of helping shield Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from scrutiny for years, alleging Buckingham Palace failed to act after receiving emails that raised serious questions about the disgraced former prince’s conduct.

Michaels, who was allegedly sexually assaulted by convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein in 1991 when she was 22, claimed the Palace ignored information that could have exposed Mountbatten-Windsor to a criminal investigation years earlier.

The allegations relate to emails that reportedly showed Andrew sharing confidential government information with a business associate during his time as the UK’s trade envoy between 2001 and 2011.

“Six years ago, the Palace knew Andrew wasn’t just a problem; he could face a criminal investigation. And they sat on it,” Michaels told The Telegraph UK.

“This is what institutions do. They protect powerful men and leave the people they harmed to carry it.”

Michaels argued that the Palace’s alleged failure to act had consequences that extended far beyond Andrew himself, including for survivors connected to Epstein’s abuse network.

“Protecting him meant doubting her. Virginia Roberts Giuffre was telling the truth, and she didn’t live to see them admit it. That breaks my heart and it should break everyone’s,” she added.

Giuffre, who alleged she was trafficked by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell and forced to have sexual relations with Andrew when she was 17, died by suicide in April 2025.

Her death came before Thames Valley Police launched their investigation into the former Duke of York.

Police initially arrested Mountbatten-Windsor on suspicion of misconduct in public office, but investigators have since broadened the scope of their inquiries to include potential corruption and sexual misconduct offences.

On May 22, Thames Valley Police appealed for additional witnesses, urging Epstein survivors and anyone with relevant information to come forward.

Michaels welcomed the investigation but said it should have happened much sooner.

“I’m glad the UK is finally investigating. A little late, but it’s the very least they could do.”

The comments come after the BBC reported that Buckingham Palace was handed a cache of emails six years ago that allegedly showed Mountbatten-Windsor sharing confidential information during his decade-long stint as a trade envoy- a role he held with the support of his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II.

According to the report, an archive containing around 30,000 emails linked to the former prince’s financial dealings was provided to the Lord Chamberlain, the most senior official in the Royal Household, in 2020.

The emails were reportedly obtained from a former business associate of Mountbatten-Windsor.

When questioned about the correspondence, Buckingham Palace said: “Since there is an ongoing police enquiry concerning Mr Mountbatten-Windsor, it is not possible to provide any comment on these matters.”

Mountbatten-Windsor continues to deny any wrongdoing.