The former Prince Andrew asked his “go-between” Ghislaine Maxwell to arrange meetings with “inappropriate friends” while she sought out “friendly, discreet and fun” girls on his behalf, the latest documents from Epstein’s files appear to show.
The biggest release of files so far involving the financier and convicted pedophile – which also raises questions – includes emails with the name ‘A’ detailing exchanges with Maxwell, which appear to identify the author as Andrew.
What the records show
The emails from 2001 and 2002 appear to provide further insight into the relationship between the former prince and Epstein, which has been under scrutiny since it came to light in 2011.
The records also show that the FBI tried to question the former Prince Andrew about his relationships with a second millionaire sex offender, Peter Nygard.
In October, Mountbatten Windsor said of the allegations about his relationship with Epstein: “I categorically deny the allegations against me.” He did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the new filings.
Other important revelations in the US Department of Justice announcement include:
- Emails show Britain’s Metropolitan Police contacted the FBI last month to ask if there were ongoing investigations into the estranged former prince’s relationship with Epstein.
- Emails show US attorneys allege “various inaccuracies” in a statement Andrew gave during their investigation into Epstein.
- Multiple references to Donald Trump, including a claim by a senior US attorney that Trump was on a flight in the 1990s with Epstein and a 20-year-old woman. There is no indication that the woman was the victim of any crime, and Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
- Files with deletions found to be able to be removed with Photoshop techniques or simply by highlighting text for pasting into a word processing file.
The emails burning former Prince Andrew
Mountbatten-Windsor has maintained a rather reclusive stance since October, when it was announced that he will be stripped of his royal titles and will have to leave his residence at Royal Lodge in Windsor.
He has been dogged by accusations about his relationship with Epstein since 2011, when he accepted a downgrading from his role as trade envoy, just months after his relationship with the billionaire came under fire. This was after an undated photo emerged showing him hugging Virginia Giuffre, then 17, with Maxwell smiling from the side.
Among Epstein’s latest files are email exchanges from 2001 and 2002 between Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex-exploitation crimes, and a correspondent who appears as “The Invisible Man” in the email series, signs “A” and says he is writing from Balmoral, the royal residence in the Scottish Highlands.
“Have you found me any new inappropriate friends?”, A writes in an email to Maxwell on August 16, 2001.
Maxwell responded a day later, saying: “I’m sorry to disappoint you. However, I must tell the truth. I could only find suitable friends.’
In the same email exchange, A mentions that he will be leaving the ‘RN’ that year – an obvious reference to Andrew leaving the Royal Navy. They also refer to the death, in August 2001, of the servant who served him as a child.
Dialogues in messages
Later, in February and March 2002, there is an exchange of messages in which Maxwell promotes correspondence with a third party, Juan Estaban Ganoza, regarding preparations for a trip to Peru involving arranging meetings with “girls.” The forwarded message reads: “I just gave Andrew your phone number.” A replies: “I’ll call him today if I can.”
“About the girls… how old are they?” Ganoza asks. In his reply, A says: “I am overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of the offers made to me.”
He adds: “As for the girls, I leave it entirely to you and Juan Estoban!”
Maxwell’s forwarded message also asked for help arranging “walking tours” with “smart, beautiful and fun” girls from “good families” to make Andrew “very happy”. She added: “I know I can count on you to give him a great experience and that you will only introduce him to friends you can trust and count on to be friendly, discreet and fun.”
Photographs taken shortly afterwards show Mountbatten-Windsor on an official visit to Peru.
