Newly released documents from the US Department of Justice reveal that Prince Andrew invited convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to Buckingham Palace in 2010, shortly after Epstein's release from house arrest. The emails, part of a tranche of 3 million pages made public on Friday, show the then-prince arranging a private dinner at the palace.
In an email exchange on 29 September 2010, Epstein asked Andrew what he was doing and suggested they meet, noting they needed “private time”. Andrew replied that he was having lunch with a Saudi prince and a “secret intelligence firm”, but added: “We could have dinner at Buckingham Palace and lots of privacy.” He later emailed Epstein: “Delighted for you to come here to BP. Come with whomever and I’ll be here free from 1600ish to 2000.”
Another email thread from December 2010 shows Epstein offering to introduce Andrew to a 26-year-old Russian woman, whom he described as “clever” and “beautiful”. Andrew initially declined due to being in Geneva but expressed interest, later asking what information Epstein had shared about him. Epstein replied: “She 26, russian, clevere [sic] beautiful, trustworthy.”
The documents also include a photograph of Andrew, clothed, on all fours over a female lying supine on the floor. Andrew has faced ongoing scrutiny over his ties to Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while facing new child sexual abuse charges. In October last year, Andrew was stripped of his royal titles, and King Charles initiated a process to remove his remaining honours.
Additionally, the emails reveal that Elon Musk had more extensive ties to Epstein than previously known, with cordial messages in 2013 arranging for Musk to visit Epstein's island, Little St James. The documents also show that Epstein transferred thousands of pounds to Reinaldo Avila da Silva, husband of former cabinet minister Peter Mandelson, after Epstein's release in 2009. Mandelson stated he was unaware of Epstein's crimes until after his death.
