Newly released emails show that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor told Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell “I can’t take any more of this” when he was first warned that a British newspaper was preparing to publish allegations about the trio more than 14 years ago.
The correspondence, made public on Wednesday as part of a cache of documents from the Epstein estate, sheds new light on Andrew’s long-denied involvement with the convicted sex offender and his associates. Some of the released materials also reference Donald Trump and other high-profile figures.
According to the files, the exchange took place in March 2011 after the Mail on Sunday sent Maxwell a “right of reply” email outlining claims it intended to print about Andrew’s ties to Epstein. The message was forwarded to Epstein and then to a redacted address marked “The Duke.”
“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 documents’ release follows a request by Democrats on the U.S. House Oversight Committee for Andrew to provide testimony as part of Congress’s ongoing investigation into Epstein’s network.
Committee member Congressman Suhas Subramanyam told BBC Two’s Newsnight that Andrew has not yet responded to the invitation. “He doesn’t have to get on a plane to testify,” Subramanyam said. “He can do it remotely.”
The British royal has long faced scrutiny over allegations by Virginia Giuffre, who claimed she was trafficked by Epstein and forced to have sex with Andrew three times as a teenager. Andrew has vehemently denied the accusations. In 2022, he reached an out-of-court settlement with Giuffre, which included no admission of guilt or apology.
Earlier this month, Andrew was stripped of his remaining royal titles following the release of Giuffre’s posthumous memoir, which reignited attention on the Duke’s relationship with Epstein and Maxwell.
Among the newly unsealed documents are three emails referencing Donald Trump, exchanged between Epstein and Maxwell in 2011. In one, Epstein wrote:
“I want you to realise that the dog that hasn’t barked is Trump. [VICTIM] spent hours at my house with him.”
The name of the alleged victim was redacted. The White House later said the individual referred to was Giuffre, who died earlier this year. In a statement, it added that Giuffre had repeatedly stated that Trump “was not involved in any wrongdoing whatsoever and ‘couldn’t have been friendlier’ to her in their limited interactions.”
Giuffre made similar assertions in a 2016 deposition and in her memoir, in which she made no allegations of misconduct against Trump.
Republicans in Congress swiftly responded to the Democrats’ document release, publishing thousands more Epstein-related files that they claimed Democrats had “cherry-picked” in a “politically motivated attempt to slander President Trump.”
Within hours of the latest disclosures, newly sworn-in Democratic congresswoman Adelita Grijalva added her signature to a petition compelling the US Department of Justice to release all remaining Epstein records. Her support gave Democrats enough backing to force a House vote, which Speaker Mike Johnson confirmed will take place next week.
The files also appear to confirm the authenticity of the infamous photograph showing Andrew with his arm around a 17-year-old Giuffre. In a July 2011 exchange, Epstein discussed the image with a journalist, writing:
“Yes, she was on my plane, and yes, she had her picture taken with Andrew, as many of my employees have.”
Andrew has repeatedly denied recalling the photo being taken, suggesting it may have been fabricated.
The exchange occurred just months after the March 2011 “right of reply” email from the Mail on Sunday, which alleged that a woman, whose name was redacted had been introduced to Andrew by Epstein at Maxwell’s London home in 2001 and later directed to have sex with him.
That same article, published March 6, 2011, included the photograph of Andrew and Giuffre and described claims that the Duke had groped girls at Epstein’s New York residence and participated in an orgy at Epstein’s private island, Little St. James.
Following publication, Epstein emailed Andrew:
“You ok? These stories are complete and utter fantasy.”
In a subsequent July 2011 message to his publicist, Epstein added:
“The girl who accused Prince Andrew can easily be proven to be a liar. Buckingham Palace would love it. You should investigate Virginia Roberts, she’s caused the Queen’s son all this agro (sic). I promise you she is a fraud.”
The newly released materials also show that Lord Peter Mandelson maintained contact with Epstein as late as 2016 years after Epstein’s conviction for child sex offences.
An email from Epstein to Mandelson, dated November 6, 2016, reads: “63 years old. You made it.” Mandelson replied: “Just. I have decided to extend my life by spending more of it in the US.” Epstein responded: “In the Donald White House,” a reference to the upcoming US presidential election.
Mandelson was dismissed as Britain’s ambassador to Washington in September over his association with Epstein, after earlier reports revealed he had exchanged friendly messages with the financier following his 2008 conviction. Mandelson declined to comment on the latest emails when approached by the BBC.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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