Newly disclosed documents have revealed the desperate pleas made by Andrew Mountbatten Windsor to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, begging him to publicly deny any connection to sexual abuse allegations.
The Desperate Email Exchange
In March 2011, the former Prince found himself under increasing pressure over his friendship with Epstein. When a newspaper approached them for comment about sexual abuse allegations at Epstein's home, Andrew responded with a panicked email.
The message was copied to Epstein's associate Ghislaine Maxwell and two lawyers. Andrew wrote: "Hey there! What's all this? I don't know anything about this! You must SAY so please. This has NOTHING to do with me. I can't take any more of this."
This exchange forms part of a cache of 20,000 documents and photographs recently published by the US House Oversight Committee, shedding new light on the relationships between powerful figures and the disgraced financier.
Political Figures Drawn Into the Scandal
The document release reveals how other prominent British figures became involved in managing Epstein's public image. Days after Andrew's email, another exchange shows former minister Peter Mandelson advising against an interview request.
When BBC Radio 4's Today programme requested an interview with Epstein about "stories which are circulating, however inaccurately, about both him and Prince Andrew", Epstein's attorney forwarded the request to Mandelson.
Mandelson's response was emphatic: "No!!" The former minister, who was dismissed from his role in September over his Epstein connections, has since stated he feels "utterly awful about my association with Epstein 20 years ago and the plight of his victims".
Lasting Consequences and Legal Battles
Andrew has faced persistent scrutiny over allegations made by Virginia Giuffre, who claimed she was trafficked by Epstein as a teenager and forced to have sex with the royal. Andrew has consistently and vehemently denied these allegations.
Tragically, Giuffre died by suicide earlier this year. The publication of her posthumous memoir last month prompted decisive action from the monarchy.
King Charles removed Andrew's 'prince' title and is evicting him from Royal Lodge, marking a significant fall from grace for the Queen's second son.
In 2022, Andrew settled a civil lawsuit with Giuffre for a reported £12 million without admitting liability. During his infamous 2019 BBC interview, he stated he had "no recollection" of meeting her but would be "duty-bound" to testify under oath if required.
The royal acknowledged meeting Epstein both before and after the financier's first conviction and confirmed visits to Epstein's private island and aircraft. He also admitted that both Epstein and Maxwell had been guests at Windsor Castle and Sandringham.
