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Prince Andrew's 2011 email to Epstein revealed in newly released files
Newly disclosed documents from Jeffrey Epstein's estate, published Wednesday, include a 2011 email in which Prince Andrew told the convicted sex offender and Ghislaine Maxwell, "I can't take any more of this," after learning a British newspaper planned to expose their ties. The files also reference Donald Trump and deepen scrutiny of Andrew's connections to Epstein, who died in custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on trafficking charges.
Andrew's reaction to the 2011 exposé
The former prince's message followed a right-of-reply request from the Mail on Sunday, forwarded to him by Maxwell in March 2011. The newspaper's draft article alleged Andrew had been introduced to a woman-later identified as Virginia Giuffre-by Epstein in 2001, with claims of sexual misconduct at Maxwell's London home and Epstein's New York residence and private island.
Andrew's reply, revealed in the latest tranche of documents, read: "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." The email was sent days before the Mail on Sunday published its report, which included the now-infamous photograph of Andrew with his arm around Giuffre, then 17.
Giuffre's allegations and Andrew's settlement
Giuffre, a key accuser in the Epstein case, alleged she was trafficked to Andrew on three occasions as a teenager. Andrew has repeatedly denied the claims, reaching an undisclosed out-of-court settlement with Giuffre in 2022 that included no admission of liability. The agreement came amid mounting pressure after Giuffre's posthumous memoir, released earlier this year, reignited scrutiny of Andrew's association with Epstein and Maxwell, the latter now serving a 20-year prison term for trafficking.
In a 2019 BBC Newsnight interview, Andrew claimed no recollection of the photograph with Giuffre, suggesting it might be fabricated. Yet a 2011 email from Epstein to a journalist appears to confirm its authenticity: "Yes she was on my plane, and yes she had her picture taken with Andrew, as many of my employees have."
Trump's name surfaces in Epstein's emails
The documents also mention Donald Trump in exchanges between Epstein and Maxwell. A April 2011 email from Epstein to Maxwell states: "I want you to realize that the dog that hasn't barked is Trump... [VICTIM] spent hours at my house with him." The redacted "victim" was later confirmed by the White House as Giuffre, who died by suicide this year. In a statement, the White House noted Giuffre had "repeatedly said President Trump was not involved in any wrongdoing whatsoever" and described him as "couldn't have been friendlier" in their limited interactions.
Giuffre's 2016 deposition and posthumous memoir similarly exonerated Trump of any abuse allegations. House Republicans, accusing Democrats of "cherry-picking" documents to target Trump, released thousands of additional files Wednesday to "counter a fake narrative."
Congressional pressure and Mandelson's ties
Democratic lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee have invited Andrew to testify remotely in their ongoing Epstein investigation. Congressman Suhas Subramanyam told the BBC Andrew had yet to respond. Meanwhile, newly sworn-in Democrat Adelita Grijalva's petition secured enough support to force a House vote next week on releasing all Epstein-related Justice Department files.
The documents also reveal late-2016 emails between Epstein and former UK Business Secretary Peter Mandelson, who was dismissed as US ambassador last month over his Epstein links. In one exchange, Epstein joked about Mandelson visiting "the Donald White House" post-election. Mandelson, who has expressed regret over the relationship, declined to comment.
Key timeline
- March 4, 2011: Mail on Sunday sends Maxwell a right-of-reply email outlining allegations against Andrew.
- March 6, 2011: The newspaper publishes its story; Epstein emails Andrew, "You ok? These stories are complete and utter fantasy."
- July 2011: Epstein tells his publicist Giuffre is a "fraud" and vows to prove it.
- 2022: Andrew settles with Giuffre out of court, with no admission of liability.
- November 2025: House vote scheduled on releasing all Epstein files.
