Newly released United States justice department documents have revealed that Prince Andrew attended a private dinner with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein months after the financier was released from prison, raising fresh questions about the Duke of York’s long-standing claims that he had cut ties with Epstein at the time.
The documents, made public as part of a wider release of millions of pages connected to the Epstein investigation, include email exchanges suggesting that Prince Andrew was present at an intimate gathering organised at Epstein’s New York residence in December 2010.
At the time, Epstein had already served a prison sentence for child sexual abuse offences and remained under intense public scrutiny.
Emails contained in the files show that a Hollywood publicist, Peggy Siegal, circulated invitations for what she described as a “last-minute casual dinner” during Prince Andrew’s unofficial visit to New York.
The correspondence indicates that the dinner was intended to bring together Epstein, Prince Andrew and several prominent figures from politics, media and entertainment.
The gathering is believed to have taken place at Epstein’s Manhattan home, where Prince Andrew was staying during the visit.
This detail has reignited criticism, as the Duke had previously stated that his purpose in travelling to the United States was to formally end his relationship with Epstein following the financier’s criminal conviction.
Photographs taken during the same trip showed Prince Andrew and Epstein walking together in Central Park, images that have since become emblematic of the controversy surrounding their association.
In a widely criticised television interview in 2019, Prince Andrew defended the meeting, saying he felt it was better to end the friendship in person rather than by phone.
However, the newly released emails appear to contradict the claim that the relationship was purely being severed. In her messages, Siegal referred to the dinner as an opportunity for guests to have private time with Prince Andrew, noting that he was staying at Epstein’s property.
Several well-known figures were invited, including film director Woody Allen and television personalities from the United States media landscape, though it remains unclear who ultimately attended.
Other correspondence included in the document release suggests ongoing communication between Epstein and an email account identified as “The Duke.”
In one exchange from August 2010, Epstein discussed introducing a young Russian woman to Prince Andrew, describing her in personal terms and proposing a dinner meeting. Replies from the account, signed with an “A” and bearing an email signature associated with the Duke of York, appeared to welcome the suggestion.
Further emails reveal contact between Epstein’s longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell and an account believed to belong to Prince Andrew.
In several messages, Maxwell addressed the recipient affectionately and referenced family matters, including condolences following the death of the Queen Mother in 2002. These exchanges suggest a familiarity that spanned several years.
Maxwell, who was convicted in the United States for child sex trafficking and is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence, also appeared in emails discussing social arrangements involving Epstein and his circle.
Some messages included language that has since drawn renewed scrutiny given the nature of Epstein’s crimes.
Jeffrey Epstein died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. His death did not end investigations into his activities, and the continuing release of documents has repeatedly brought attention to his network of wealthy and influential associates.
Prince Andrew stepped back from public royal duties in the wake of the Epstein scandal and was later stripped of his military titles and royal patronages. In 2022, he reached a reported £12 million settlement with Virginia Giuffre, an American woman who alleged she was trafficked to him by Epstein when she was underage.
Prince Andrew has consistently denied the allegations and did not admit liability as part of the settlement.
The latest batch of Epstein files also sheds light on Epstein’s broader connections, including financial dealings and correspondence with political figures and business leaders.
Separate documents suggest that Epstein made substantial bank transfers to individuals connected to senior British political circles after his release from prison in 2009, further illustrating the reach of his influence even after his conviction.
Read also: Scotch whisky imports cut from 10% to 5% in China trade deal, Starmer says — Ukraine war also discussed
The US justice department has said the document release is part of an effort to increase transparency around the Epstein case, though survivors and advocates have criticised aspects of the disclosures, arguing that victims’ privacy has not always been adequately protected.
As more files continue to emerge, scrutiny of Epstein’s associates is expected to intensify.
The revelations concerning Prince Andrew’s attendance at a private dinner after Epstein’s prison release are likely to fuel ongoing debate about accountability, judgment and the extent of the Duke’s relationship with the disgraced financier.
