Newly disclosed files from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) have revealed that Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor sent personal photographs of his daughters, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice, to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. These communications occurred years after Epstein's 2008 conviction for procuring a minor for prostitution.
The documents, part of a larger release of over three million Epstein-related records, were unveiled on Friday. They show that the images were shared in Christmas emails from Prince Andrew in 2011 and 2012. At the time, Princess Eugenie was aged between 21 and 22, while Princess Beatrice was 23 to 24 years old.
One email, dated December 21, 2011, originated from Andrew's official "HRH The Duke of York" email address. It included a festive greeting card adorned with various photographs, such as Beatrice and Eugenie posing in the snow, views of a snow-laden Royal Lodge, and an image of Andrew canoeing. The card extended seasonal joy and happiness to Epstein and contained Andrew's personal signature.
The following year, on December 20, 2012, another card was sent showcasing Princess Beatrice ascending Mont Blanc and Princess Eugenie partaking in a charity bike ride in London. Additional images depicted Andrew abseiling down The Shard and Sarah Ferguson, his former wife, traversing Great Slave Lake in Canada.
These correspondences directly contradict Prince Andrew's previous assertions that he had cut off all contact with Epstein following the latter's conviction. They have sparked renewed scrutiny into the nature of Andrew's relationship with Epstein, especially considering the timing of the email exchanges.
Further revelations from the DOJ files include emails that show Prince Andrew inviting Epstein to dinner at Buckingham Palace after Epstein had completed house arrest. In one particular exchange, Epstein proposed introducing Andrew to a 26-year-old Russian woman, to which the Prince expressed he would be "delighted" to meet her.
Emails also unearthed affectionate communications between Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell, who referred to each other using endearments such as "darling" and "sweetheart," and exchanged declarations of love. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year sentence in the U.S. for her role in sex trafficking in connection with Epstein.
Royal commentator Jennie Bond has stated that these latest disclosures have placed Andrew's daughters, Eugenie and Beatrice, in a precarious situation. They are attempting to maintain their public reputation while dealing with the implications of their father's association with Epstein.
Other documents released include unsettling images showing Prince Andrew leaning over a woman lying on the floor, though the context of these photographs remains unclear. Despite the growing body of evidence, Prince Andrew has steadfastly denied any misconduct and has not been charged with any crime related to his association with Epstein.
The ongoing disclosure of Epstein-related records continues to reveal connections with notable individuals across various sectors, including politics, business, and royalty.
