LONDON (AP) – The British royal family is facing new upheaval following the latest release of documents from the U.S. investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, which reveals unsettling details about the relationship between Epstein and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew. The emails, released by the U.S. Justice Department, include an invitation for Epstein to dine at Buckingham Palace and an email exchange in which Epstein offers to introduce Andrew to a 26-year-old Russian woman. Additionally, photographs have emerged showing a man resembling Andrew kneeling over an unidentified woman on the floor.
The timing of these revelations is particularly notable, coming just three months after King Charles III stripped Andrew of his royal titles as part of an effort to distance the monarchy from the scandals surrounding his brother’s long-running ties to Epstein. Andrew now goes by his full surname, Mountbatten-Windsor, losing the title of Duke of York that previously came with royal responsibilities.
Craig Prescott, a constitutional law expert at Royal Holloway, University of London, commented that the royal family had to take drastic measures to separate Andrew from the rest of the monarchy. Prescott noted, “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.” He emphasized that as more information about Andrew’s relationship with Epstein surfaces, it appears the royal family’s decision to distance itself was justified.
The newly released documents raise significant concerns regarding Andrew’s judgment and provide a glimpse into the behavior of the global elite. Prescott stated, “It’s sort of the things they do behind some of the most gilded doors in New York or London,” calling the details extraordinary.
Andrew’s association with Epstein has been a source of controversy since 2008 when Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution. The scandal escalated in 2011 when Virginia Giuffre alleged that she had been trafficked by Epstein and forced to engage in sexual activity with Andrew when she was just 17 years old. Andrew attempted to mitigate the controversy through a 2019 BBC interview, but his explanations were met with skepticism, further compounding the scandal due to a perceived lack of empathy towards Epstein’s victims.
Despite his denials of any wrongdoing, the emails released unveil exchanges between Epstein and Andrew in August 2010, shortly after Epstein was released from house arrest. These communications contain an invitation from Epstein to arrange a dinner with a Russian woman, to which Andrew enthusiastically responded despite the potential risks involved. “Of course. I am in Geneva until the morning of 22nd but would be delighted to see her,” Andrew wrote back, eagerly asking for the woman's contact details.
The evidence also includes exchanges where Epstein expresses plans to visit London and suggests having dinner at Buckingham Palace for more privacy. Moreover, the release showcases three photographs depicting a man resembling Andrew kneeling over a woman whose identity has been redacted, stirring further speculation and concern about Andrew’s associations.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond remarked on these troubling exchanges, questioning Andrew's judgment. She highlighted the unusual nature of a royal engaging with someone they barely knew under such circumstances, calling into question the security implications of such interactions.
While the palace's ability to impose sanctions on Andrew is limited, the impact on his reputation has been profound and arguably irreversible. Prescott summarized the situation, stating that Andrew's reputation has been largely destroyed, pointing out that the revelations, though damaging, may not significantly alter the royal family's approach moving forward.
