The latest release of documents related to convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein has thrust disgraced royal Prince Andrew back into the unforgiving spotlight, with damning evidence revealing he maintained contact far longer than previously admitted.
Christmas Communications with a Convicted Sex Offender
While the royal family gathered for traditional Christmas celebrations at Sandringham in December 2010, Prince Andrew's attention was elsewhere. Newly released emails show that on Christmas Eve, Andrew contacted Epstein requesting a conversation that same day. The following morning, as the nation exchanged seasonal greetings, the Duke of York was corresponding with a man convicted in 2008 of soliciting a minor for prostitution.
Days earlier, Andrew had wished Epstein – whom he described as part of "my US family" – a "wonderful Christmas" and hoped for a "spectacular entry into 2011." This correspondence occurred while Epstein remained on the sex offender register, barely a year after his release from prison.
Contradicting the Newsnight Interview
These revelations directly contradict Andrew's infamous 2019 Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis, where he insisted his relationship with Epstein ended during a December 2010 walk in Central Park. "I left, I think it was the next day, and to this day I never had any contact with him from that day forward," Andrew told the BBC journalist.
The newly released evidence proves this statement false. An email from April 2010 shows Andrew writing to Epstein: "I have no immediate plans to drop by New York but I think I should at some stage soon. It would be good to catch up in person." Further correspondence from October 2010 begins with "Great to see you," signed simply "A," indicating meetings occurred before the claimed December cutoff.
Planning Meetings and Questionable Encounters
More disturbing details emerge from the email cache. On August 12, 2010, Epstein invited Andrew to dinner with a 26-year-old Russian woman. In November 2010, Andrew emailed Epstein asking about clothing requirements for an upcoming visit, suggesting potential travel to warmer climates. Epstein responded about possibly going "south for a few days" requiring "a bathing suit and easy shirt."
Andrew's reply was particularly revealing: "See you tomorrow afternoon. Really looking forward to seeing you and spending some time with you after so long. Some interesting things to discuss and plot...." This correspondence raises serious questions about the nature of their continued association.
Sustained Contact Throughout 2011
The deception extends well into 2011, contrary to Andrew's claims of severing ties. In February 2011, an email from a "member of the British Royal Family" – believed to be Andrew – told Epstein: "Keep in close touch, and we'll play some more soon!!!!" This message was disclosed in papers released by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority.
Additional emails show Andrew seeking Epstein's assistance in January 2011 to resolve financial matters involving his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, who owed approximately £80,000 to a former employee. Epstein had previously provided financial support to Ferguson, further entangling the royal with the disgraced financier.
A Pattern of Deception Unravels
The cumulative evidence paints a picture of sustained deception rather than isolated lapses. Andrew misrepresented when he ended contact, why he visited New York, the nature of his relationship with Epstein, and provided false information during a nationally televised interview.
This pattern suggests a calculated attempt to rewrite history, relying on Epstein's death in July 2019 to bury uncomfortable truths. Instead, the ghost of Epstein continues to haunt Andrew's public life, exposing not merely poor judgment but deliberate falsehoods told to the public, the monarchy, his family, and most significantly, Epstein's victims.
Consequences of Royal Arrogance
The released documents reveal an arrogance so profound that Andrew believed his word alone would suffice without evidence to support his claims. The paper trail now proves devastating to his credibility, showing sustained contact with a convicted sex offender long after such association should have ceased.
This scandal extends beyond personal failings to institutional damage, undermining the monarchy's moral authority during a period when the royal family presented itself as embodying traditional values. The contrast between public Christmas messages and private correspondence with a convicted paedophile creates particularly damaging symbolism.
As more than three million Epstein files become public, they leave no room for reinterpretation or spin. The evidence conclusively demonstrates that Prince Andrew maintained a relationship he publicly denied, communicated with Epstein during family celebrations, and provided misleading statements about the nature and duration of their association.
