Prince Andrew denied any involvement in the sex abuse allegations linked to Jeffrey Epstein and pleaded with Epstein to make a statement to that effect. Expressing distress over the situation in a March 2011 email, the former Prince was facing increasing criticism regarding his association with Epstein. The email chain, which included Ghislaine Maxwell and two lawyers, was prompted by a newspaper’s inquiry about allegations involving Andrew and a complainant believed to be Virginia Giuffre.
In another email exchange from a few days later found among 20,000 documents and photos released by the US House Oversight Committee, Peter Mandelson, the UK’s ex-Ambassador to the UK, advised Epstein against granting an interview to the BBC. Mandelson, who was dismissed in September due to his ties to Epstein, expressed regret over his past association with Epstein and concern for the victims.
Amid ongoing scrutiny over allegations by Virginia Giuffre, Prince Andrew faced consequences as King Charles stripped him of his royal title and decided to evict him from Royal Lodge following the release of Giuffre’s posthumous memoir. Andrew settled a civil suit with Giuffre for a reported sum without admitting guilt.
During a 2019 BBC interview, Prince Andrew claimed no recollection of meeting Giuffre but acknowledged interactions with Epstein before and after his conviction, including visits to Epstein’s properties and encounters with Ghislaine Maxwell at royal residences.