Internal emails reveal that Prince Andrew remained in contact with Jeffrey Epstein until 2015, five years longer than he previously claimed, raising new concerns about his credibility and the royal family’s oversight.
At a Glance
- Newly obtained emails show Prince Andrew communicated with Epstein until 2015
- Previously, Andrew claimed he ended the friendship in 2010 after a public scandal
- Correspondence includes plans for joint investments in China
- UK royal household has not commented on the latest revelations
- Legal experts say new disclosures could reignite scrutiny into Andrew’s conduct
The Five-Year Gap
Newly surfaced correspondence obtained by The Times contradicts Prince Andrew’s public statements about the timeline of his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. In a 2019 BBC interview, Andrew claimed he ended contact with Epstein in 2010 following media backlash from Epstein’s Florida conviction. However, emails dated between 2011 and 2015 show friendly exchanges between the two, including logistical planning and investment discussions.
The documents indicate Prince Andrew and Epstein were engaged in preliminary talks for a business venture involving Chinese infrastructure development. It’s unclear whether the plans materialized, but the emails suggest sustained personal rapport and mutual trust well beyond the publicly accepted cutoff.
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The Royal Connection Revived
The newly released emails include references to Epstein arranging accommodations for Andrew during private visits to the U.S. and other locations. In one message from 2013, Epstein forwarded a dinner invitation to Andrew and suggested inviting “the usual friends,” which investigators interpret as a euphemism for recurring guests known to both men.
Although there is no direct reference to criminal activity within the emails, their tone has reignited calls for a broader inquiry into Prince Andrew’s role in Epstein’s network. Legal experts argue the communications challenge the credibility of Andrew’s prior sworn statements, including his 2019 BBC denial that he maintained contact with Epstein after 2010.
Institutional Silence
Buckingham Palace has so far declined to issue a statement in response to the new findings. A spokesperson for Prince Andrew also refused to comment when contacted by The Times. The lack of response has drawn criticism from transparency advocates, especially in light of ongoing public trust challenges within the monarchy.
UK lawmakers have not formally reopened any investigations, but the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee has acknowledged it is reviewing the emails as part of a broader file on foreign influence and international financial networks. Meanwhile, Prince Andrew remains withdrawn from royal public duties since stepping back in early 2022.
This revelation adds yet another layer of complexity to the already embattled legacy of Epstein’s many high-profile connections and revives scrutiny over how thoroughly those relationships were ever severed.
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