In alleged correspondence between Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein, the royal is said to have told the paedophile financier that the two would ‘play together soon’
Prince Andrew allegedly told Jeffrey Epstein they were “in this together” in an email sent after he claimed to have cut contact with the paedophile.
In an alleged email exchange dated February 28 2011, Andrew also allegedly told him they would “have to rise above it”. He claimed in his infamous Emily Maitlis interview that he had ceased contact with Epstein in December 2010.
The correspondance reportedly took place a day after the emergence of the now-infamous photo depicting Andrew with Virginia Giuffre. Andrew allegedly suggested in the email – said to have been sent from his official account – that the two would “play together soon” while urging the paedophile to “keep in close touch”.
According to The Sun, Andrew told Epstein: “I’m just as concerned for you! Don’t worry about me! It would seem we are in this together and will have to rise above it… Otherwise keep in close touch and we’ll play some more soon!!!!”
The email was reportedly signed off with the Prince’s formal royal title “A, HRH The Duke of York, KG”. The KG in the signature refers to his status as a Knight of the Garter, a position he was awarded in 2006 and still retains, despite having been stripped of other titles and official royal duties after he settled a civil lawsuit with Giuffre in 2022.
Ms Giuffre claimed Andrew sexually abused her three times when she was 17. The Prince has always strenuously denied any wrongdoing.
Ms Giuffre, previously known as Virginia Roberts, was one of the most prominent accusers of Epstein and also a campaigner for victims of sex trafficking.
On November 16 2019, during his BBC interview, Andrew claimed he has “no recollection of ever meeting” Ms Giuffre, denying the allegations against him. Regarding Epstein, he stated: “I have stayed in a number of his residences. At no stage during the limited time I spent with him did I see, witness or suspect any behaviour of the sort that subsequently led to his arrest and conviction.”
He said of the picture of him appearing to have his hand around a young Ms Giuffre: “Listen, I don’t remember, I don’t remember that photograph ever being taken.”
The interview led to a public backlash and days later, Andrew announced he would be stepping down from his royal duties, adding that he deeply sympathised with Epstein’s victims and everyone who “wants some form of closure”.
Buckingham Palace has been contacted for comment.
