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Emails suggest Epstein arranged meeting with Russian woman for Prince Andrew
Newly released documents from the U.S. Department of Justice include emails indicating Jeffrey Epstein invited Prince Andrew to dine with a 26-year-old Russian woman in August 2010. The correspondence, signed with what appears to be the former prince's initials and title, adds to long-standing scrutiny of his ties to Epstein.
Exchange details proposed encounter
The emails, sent on 11 and 12 August 2010, show Epstein writing to an account titled "The Duke" to introduce "a 26-year-old Russian woman" he thought the recipient "might enjoy having dinner with." Epstein noted she would be in London later that month.
"The Duke" replied that he would be in Geneva until 22 August but would "be delighted to see her" and asked if she would "be bringing a message." He requested Epstein share "any other information you might know about her that might be useful." Epstein responded that the woman was "clever, beautiful, trustworthy" and confirmed she had the recipient's email address.
Later messages discuss London meeting
On 27 September 2010, Epstein emailed "The Duke" to say he was in London and asked, "What time would you like me and [redacted], we will also need/have private time." The recipient suggested dinner at Buckingham Palace, writing, "Alternatively we could have dinner at Buckingham Palace and lots of privacy." Epstein replied, "bp pleease."
The emails do not indicate any wrongdoing, and the BBC has not independently verified their authenticity. Prince Andrew's representatives have been contacted for comment.
U.S. authorities sought interview with Prince Andrew
A 2020 document from the U.S. Department of Justice reveals a formal request to interview Prince Andrew, as investigators believed he "may have been a witness to and/or participant in certain events" related to Epstein's activities. The letter stated that evidence suggested Prince Andrew "had knowledge that [Ghislaine] Maxwell recruited females to engage in sex acts with Epstein and other men" and that he "engaged in sexual conduct involving one of Epstein's victims."
The document clarified that Prince Andrew was not a target of the investigation at the time and that no evidence had been gathered indicating he committed a crime under U.S. law.
"Prince Andrew is not presently a target of the investigation, and U.S. authorities have not, to date, gathered evidence that he has committed any crime under U.S. law."
U.S. Department of Justice letter, 2020
Prince Andrew's previous denials and settlement
Prince Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein. In a previous statement, he said he did not "see, witness or suspect any behaviour of the sort that subsequently led to [Epstein's] arrest and conviction."
In 2022, he settled a civil sexual assault claim brought by Virginia Giuffre, who alleged she was trafficked by Epstein and assaulted by the prince as a teenager. Prince Andrew maintained he had never met Giuffre.
Emails between Epstein and Sarah Ferguson also released
The latest document release includes emails between Epstein and Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York. In an April 2009 message, Ferguson wrote to Epstein, "Hello Jeffrey. I am landing in Palm Beach in a couple of hours. Is there any chance on my quick layover, that I can get to have a quick cup of tea..." She referred to Epstein as "my dear spectacular and special friend" and "the brother I have always wished for."
Another exchange in August 2009 discusses Ferguson's business ventures, with her thanking Epstein for his support. The emails do not suggest any wrongdoing, and Ferguson's representatives have been contacted for comment.
Massive document release follows legal deadline
The emails are part of over three million pages of documents made public by the U.S. Department of Justice on Friday, including more than 2,000 videos and 180,000 images. The release comes six weeks after a deadline set by a law signed by former President Donald Trump. Many files are heavily redacted, with some pages entirely blacked out.
