Lawyers for a second woman who alleges she was sent to the UK by Jeffrey Epstein for a sexual encounter with the then Prince Andrew have urged King Charles’s lawyers to issue a “real apology”.
Brad Edwards, from the US law firm Edwards Henderson, previously told the BBC his client, said not to be British and in her 20s at the time, had spent the night with Andrew at Royal Lodge in 2010 and been given a tour of Buckingham Palace.
In a statement, Brittany Henderson, of the same law firm, told PA Media: “Andrew’s power only existed because of his royal family. Andrew’s complicity and involvement with Epstein and Maxwell has been well known to us, to Andrew, and to the palace for many years.
“Whether he comes to the United States to testify is irrelevant; we hardly need more people over here spinning grand stories.
“For the royal family to maintain any level of credibility in the eyes of the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein, the legal team for the king should contact me immediately in a good faith effort to learn what Andrew has done, meet whomever he has done it to, issue a sincere and real apology, and ensure that any victims of Andrew are fairly compensated for this wrongdoing.”
The allegation comes as emails in the more than 3m documents published by the US Department of Justice on Friday relating to Epstein appear to show the depth of friendship between the disgraced financier and Andrew’s ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson. The emails also mention princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
In one in 2009, after updating Epstein on her business opportunities, Ferguson appears to write: “Thank you Jeffrey for being the brother I have always wished for.” Another from “Sarah” in 2010 reads: “You are a legend. I really don’t have the words to describe, my love, gratitude for your generosity and kindness. Xx I am at your service. Just marry me.”
In 2009, after the crash of a business venture, Ferguson appears to write to Epstein: “I urgently need 20,000 pounds ($27,521) for rent today. The landlord has threatened to go to the newspapers if I don’t pay. Any brainwaves?”
The emails also appear to show a lunch was held between Ferguson, her daughters and Epstein in July 2009, after he was released from prison on child sex offences. Epstein sent an email to the “ferg” address asking “where are you?” The reply, from “Sarah”, says: “In Miami. What number shall I call you on now.” She adds she is staying at a house “with the girls”. “I am aiming to get to you for 12:30 for lunch. Does that suit?” and then confirming it will be “myself, Beatrice and Eugenie”.
Elsewhere, there are lawyers’ letters about deals to pay off her creditors and an email from Epstein claiming to have helped her financially for 15 years.
One from Epstein to a redacted address, sent on 21 March 2010, simply reads “ny?”. The reply, also from a redacted address, says: “Not sure yet. Just waiting for Eugenie to come back from a shagging weekend!!”
Another email from Epstein to hedge fund manager Glenn Dubin in 2009 claims “fergie said she could organize tea in the buckingham palace apts. or windsor castle”.
The former Duchess of York also appears to raise the possibility Epstein had a secret child, congratulating him on the birth of a “baby boy” in 2011, news she says she heard from “The Duke” and offering her “love, friendship and congratulations”. Ferguson appears to complain in a second message to Epstein that he has “disappeared” and it was “soo crystal clear to me that you were only friends with me to get to Andrew. And that really hurt me deeeply [sic]. More than you will know.”
Mountbatten-Windsor denies allegations he had sex with Virginia Giuffre when she was 17 and working for Epstein, and settled a civil case with her for a reported £12m with no admission of liability.
A Buckingham Palace statement in October announcing Mountbatten-Windsor would be stripped of his royal titles and moved out of Royal Lodge said: “Their majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.”