Former Prince Andrew can't escape Epstein's shadow as new documents
reveal details about friendship
[February 02, 2026]
By DANICA KIRKA
LONDON (AP) — Britain’s royal family is facing a fresh round of
embarrassment after the latest release of documents from the U.S.
investigation into Jeffrey Epstein revealed unsavory details about the
relationship between the convicted sex offender and a correspondent who
appears to be the man formerly known as Prince Andrew.
Emails released by the U.S. Justice Department include an invitation for
Epstein to dine at Buckingham Palace, Epstein’s offer to introduce his
correspondent to a 26-year-old Russian woman, and photos that appear to
show Andrew kneeling over an unidentified person who is lying on the
floor.
The revelations come three months after King Charles III stripped Andrew
of his royal titles, including the right to be called a prince, as he
tried to insulate the monarchy from a steady stream of stories about his
younger brother’s relationship with Epstein that has tarnished the royal
family for more than a decade. The former prince is now known simply as
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
A tarnished figure
As a result of that move, the damage from the latest emails is likely to
be limited to Mountbatten-Windsor, said Craig Prescott, an expert on
constitutional law and the monarchy at Royal Holloway, University of
London.
The documents show that “they had to do something to separate Andrew
from the rest of the family, and the nuclear option was the clearest way
of doing it,” Prescott said. “And as more comes out, then you do feel
that they have been justified.”
The documents raise serious questions about Andrew’s judgment, while
offering a rare look at how some of the world’s super elite behave
behind closed doors, Prescott said.
“It’s sort of the things they do behind some of the most gilded doors in
New York or London or wherever,” he said. “It’s the sort of things that
on some occasions seem to be going on. And I think most people just
think, wow, that’s all very extraordinary.’’
The disclosures have revived questions about whether Mountbatten-Windsor
should cooperate with U.S. authorities investigating Epstein and his
links to powerful individuals around the world.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Saturday suggested
Mountbatten-Windsor should tell American investigators whatever he knows
about Epstein's activities.
“In terms of testifying, I’ve always said anybody who’s got information
should be prepared to share that information in whatever form they’re
asked to do that, because you can’t be victim-centered if you’re not
prepared to do that,” Starmer said as he arrived in Japan to meet with
the country's leaders.
Mountbatten-Windsor said in late 2019 that he was willing to help any
appropriate law enforcement agency with its investigation into Epstein.
However, previous documents released by the Justice Department show that
in 10 months of emails and conference calls, Mountbatten-Windsor’s
lawyers rejected proposals for their client to be directly interviewed
by federal prosecutors either in person or by video.
Instead, his lawyers asked that he be allowed to answer questions in
writing, something they said would be permitted in British courts.
Finally, on Sept. 23, 2020, prosecutors gave up on securing a voluntary
interview and said they planned to ask the British courts to compel
Andrew’s testimony. There is no indication that Mountbatten-Windsor has
ever provided such testimony.
The House Oversight Committee, which is investigating Epstein, in
November asked Andrew to sit for a transcribed interview.
A relationship under fire
Mountbatten-Windsor has been dogged by his relationship with Epstein
ever since 2008, when the wealthy financier pleaded guilty to soliciting
a minor for prostitution. In 2011, the late Virginia Giuffre alleged
that she had been trafficked by Epstein and forced to have sex with
Andrew when she was 17.
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Images from an undated and redacted document released by the U.S.
Department of Justice, photographed Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, show
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, leaning
over an unidentified person. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick)
He tried to stifle the controversy in a 2019 interview with the BBC,
but the appearance only fueled the scandal when he was criticized
for offering unbelievable explanations of his behavior and failing
to show empathy for Epstein’s victims.
The former prince has repeatedly denied committing any crimes and
has rejected Giuffre’s allegations. An email seeking comment on the
latest document release was not answered. The presence of anyone’s
name or images in the investigative files isn’t proof of wrongdoing.
The emails released on Friday include an August 2010 exchange
between Epstein and an account labeled “The Duke” that occurred soon
after the financier was released from home detention following his
earlier conviction. Before he was barred from using the title,
Mountbatten-Windsor was the Duke of York.
“I have a friend who I think you might enjoy having dinner with,”
Epstein writes.
“The Duke” replies: “Of course. I am in Geneva until the morning of
22nd but would be delighted to see her. Will she be bringing a
message from you? Please give her my contact details to get in
touch.”
The email is signed “A.”
In response to a redacted email, “The Duke” then writes, “Great. Any
other information you might know about her that might be useful to
know? Like what have you told her about me and have you given her my
email as well?”
Epstein, whose emails often contain typographical errors, responds:
“She 26, russian, clevere beautiful, trustworthy and yes she has
your email.”
“That was quick!” The Duke replies. “How are you? Good to be free?”
“Great to be free of many things,” Epstein says.
The exchange elicited shock from former BBC royal correspondent
Jennie Bond, who pointed out that it would be highly unusual for a
royal to meet with someone they knew so little about.
“I mean, what was he thinking?” Bond told the BBC. “What was he
thinking when Epstein offered him a 26-year-old Russian very
beautiful lady to have dinner with? I mean, was there no red light
saying, ’Oh my goodness, you know, is this a security risk? Could
she be a spy? Should I do this?’ Nah. He says, 'That would be
absolutely lovely.’’’
Damaging emails
In another exchange in September 2010, Epstein said he was in
London.
“I am just departing Scotland should be down by 1800,” “The Duke”
replied in an email signed with the initial A. “I’ll ring you when I
get down if you can give me a number to ring.
“Alternatively we could have dinner at Buckingham Palace and lots of
privacy.”
“bp please,” Epstein responds.
Also included in the release are three photographs that show someone
who looks like Mountbatten-Windsor kneeling over an unidentified
person whose face is redacted.
In one photo the man, wearing blue jeans and a polo shirt, looks
into the camera. In the others he appears to be talking to the
unidentified person with his hand on their abdomen. There is no
caption and no indication of when or where the photos were taken.
As unseemly as the revelations are, there isn’t much else the palace
can do to sanction him, Prescott said.
“In terms of Andrew’s reputation, that has totally gone,” he said.
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