The public release of new emails connected to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has thrown the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, back into the centre of a major scandal, with his biographer declaring the evidence should lead to the confiscation of his passport.
Final Nail in the Coffin: The Damning New Evidence
Andrew Lownie, the author of the explosive biography 'Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York', has labelled the newly revealed correspondence as the 'final nail in the coffin' for the disgraced royal. The emails directly challenge previous statements Andrew made about his association with the disgraced financier.
Prince Andrew had publicly claimed he cut off contact with Epstein in 2010. However, the fresh evidence demonstrates that their communication continued beyond this date. Furthermore, in one email from July 2011, Epstein himself confirmed to a journalist that Andrew did indeed pose for a photograph with his accuser, Virginia Giuffre.
A Pattern of Denial and Mounting Pressure
This revelation severely undermines Andrew's long-standing position regarding the now-infamous photograph, which shows him with his arm around a teenage Giuffre and Epstein's associate, Ghislaine Maxwell. Andrew has repeatedly disputed the image's authenticity and stated in a 2019 BBC interview that he did 'not recollect that photograph ever being taken'.
Epstein's email explicitly states, 'Yes she (Virginia) was on my plane, and yes she had her picture taken with Andrew, as many of my employees have.' This direct contradiction has intensified scrutiny on the Duke, who has vehemently denied all allegations of sexual assault made by Giuffre.
Flight Risk and a Potential Escape Route
In light of these developments, Lownie has voiced serious concerns that Andrew is a significant flight risk. The biographer has publicly called for authorities to investigate the Duke and for his passport to be surrendered to prevent him from leaving the country.
'I think there is a good chance Andrew would avoid any possible legal charges by going to Middle East like King Juan Carlos,' Lownie stated, referencing the former King of Spain who relocated to Abu Dhabi amid his own scandals. Reports from The Sun suggest that such an escape route has already been offered, with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan allegedly providing Andrew with the 'free use of a vast royal palace' in Abu Dhabi in recognition of his past 'kindness' as a UK trade envoy.
This potential international move comes as Andrew has also agreed to relinquish his lease on the 30-room Royal Lodge, his home of over twenty years, following public outcry over the minimal 'peppercorn' rent he paid. He is now expected to move to a property on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.
The situation remains highly volatile, with Buckingham Palace having previously released a strong statement in support of 'survivors of any and all forms of abuse' after King Charles stripped Andrew of his royal titles and military affiliations. As this scandal continues to unfold, the pressure for a full and transparent investigation grows ever stronger.
