The British royal family is facing a fresh round of embarrassment after a release of documents from the US investigation into Jeffrey Epstein revealed details about the relationship between the convicted sex offender and a correspondent who appears to be the former Prince Andrew.
E-mails released by the US Department of Justice 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 lying on the floor.
The revelations come three months after King Charles III stripped Andrew of his royal titles, as he tried to insulate the monarchy from a steady stream of stories about his younger brother’s relationship with Epstein. The former prince is now known simply as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
Photo: US Department of Justice Handout via REUTERS
The e-mails 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. Mountbatten-Windsor was previously 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.”
In response to a redacted e-mail, “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 e-mails often contain typographical errors, responds: “She 26, russian, clevere beautiful, trustworthy and yes she has your email.”
Also included 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.
Also in the documents, billionaire Tesla Inc founder Elon Musk e-mailed Epstein in 2012 and 2013 about visiting his infamous island compound, the scene of many allegations of sexual abuse.
Epstein asked how many people Musk would like flown by helicopter, and Musk responded that it would likely be just him and his partner at the time.
“What day/night will be the wildest party on =our island?” he wrote, according to the records.
It is not immediately clear if the island visits took place. Spokespersons for Musk’s companies, Tesla and X, did not immediately respond to e-mails seeking comment on Friday.
Musk has maintained that he repeatedly turned down the disgraced financier’s overtures.
Epstein also invited US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick to the island in 2012. Lutnick’s wife accepted the invitation and said they would arrive on a yacht with their children. The two also had drinks on another occasion in 2011, according to a schedule.
Lutnick has distanced himself from Epstein, calling him “gross” and last year saying that he cut ties decades ago. He did not respond to an e-mailed request for comment on Friday afternoon.