Emails released as part of the Jeffrey Epstein files have revealed that Prince Andrew was involved in a PR campaign to help Harvey Weinstein's film The King's Speech win an Oscar. The messages show that Hollywood publicist Peggy Siegal asked Epstein to arrange a private screening for Andrew, and even attempted to recruit the late Queen Elizabeth to bolster support for the film.
In an email sent to Epstein on behalf of Siegal, she wrote: 'As per our phone conversation Prince Andrew will be in the states Nov 29 – Dec 5. We will get a print of The King's Speech from Harvey Weinstein and have you host a very private, small, no press screening for Prince Andrew.' She added: 'Tell Prince Andrew the film, and Colin Firth who portrays his grandfather, is going to win the Oscar.'
Another email, sent weeks before the Academy Awards, shows Siegal admitting she 'slipped' Andrew a DVD of the film in the hope he would pass it on to the Queen. The film, which won four Oscars in 2011, depicts Andrew's grandfather King George VI and his struggle with a speech impediment.
The emails also reveal that Siegal attempted to show the film to other royals. In a November 2011 exchange, she told Epstein that Colin Firth had tried to show it to Prince Charles, but 'the palace said NO'. She added: 'Tom Hooper told me the palace said they will never know if the royals ever see the film.'
In February 2011, after the BBC reported that the Queen had 'given her blessing' to the film and had been 'moved' by a private screening, Siegal messaged Epstein: 'Now the Queen herself jumps into the race the day the ballots go out... I am controlling myself until Feb. 27th when I hope we all have chance to get s*** faced Monk together.'
