Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor once sat inside Buckingham Palace and calmly told the BBC he had cut all ties with Jeffrey Epstein years earlier.
At the time, he framed the relationship as something firmly in the past, insisting it ended long before Epstein’s most notorious years.
Now, a fresh release of emails is forcing that account back into the spotlight—and the details are hard to ignore.
The Claim That Doesn’t Hold Up
During his 2019 Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis, the former Duke of York claimed he stopped communicating with Epstein in 2006 and had no contact again until a brief encounter in 2010.
He went even further, telling viewers that after that 2010 meeting, there was no contact at all.
Newly uncovered correspondence paints a very different picture, showing years of friendly, ongoing exchanges that directly contradict those statements.
A Steady Stream of Messages Behind the Scenes
The newly released cache—part of millions of documents made public—shows emails moving back and forth with striking regularity.
They weren’t stiff or formal notes either.
Instead, they read as relaxed, familiar conversations, covering everything from personal favors to social plans, all while Epstein was either in prison, on the sex offender register, or newly released from custody.
Palace Visits and Favors While Epstein Was in Prison
One of the most jarring revelations dates back to July 2009, when Epstein was still incarcerated for soliciting a minor.
Emails show arrangements being made for Andrew’s goddaughter, Celina, to visit Buckingham Palace.
The plan reportedly included giving her “a good time,” complete with tea inside the palace.
Epstein, writing from prison, expressed gratitude and asked that Andrew be thanked personally.
Invitations, Birthday Plans, and Travel Talk
By early 2010, the contact had clearly not stopped.
Epstein was apparently invited to Andrew’s 50th birthday celebration at St James’s Palace, though he declined.
Just weeks later, Andrew himself suggested meeting up in New York, saying it would be good to catch up in person—even though Epstein had only recently completed his sentence and remained a registered sex offender.
Celebrating Epstein’s Freedom
When Epstein was released from house arrest in July 2010, Andrew responded warmly to the news, congratulating him and acknowledging that he’d heard Epstein was “allowed out.”
This alone undermines the claim that contact had ended years earlier.
Messages continued throughout the year, showing the relationship was still very much alive.
Dinners, Introductions, and “Plotting” Ahead
Later in 2010, Epstein reportedly arranged a dinner for Andrew with a “beautiful, trustworthy” 26-year-old Russian woman.
Around the same period, discussions took place about hosting Epstein at Royal Lodge to talk through future plans, including financial concerns tied to Sarah Ferguson.
The tone of the emails remained upbeat and familiar, with Andrew even writing, “Great to see you,” and eagerly discussing upcoming meetings.
Warm Words and Holiday Wishes
As the year closed, Andrew sent Epstein a Christmas card, praising the time spent together in the US and expressing excitement about seeing him again soon.
He wished Epstein a “spectacular entry into 2011,” language that sits uneasily beside public claims of having cut ties completely.
The Relationship Carries On Into 2011
The emails didn’t stop at New Year.
In early 2011, Andrew sought Epstein’s help with financial matters involving Ferguson, urged him to stay in close contact, and even facilitated Epstein’s private jet landing at an RAF base during a Sandringham visit.
Each exchange further erodes the version of events Andrew presented on television.
Even Years Later, the Connection Lingers
Remarkably, the paper trail stretches as far as 2017.
Epstein was still being kept informed about Andrew’s Pitch@Palace initiative and a Windsor Castle dinner, according to emails sent by one of the program’s directors.
Long after Andrew claimed the relationship was over, Epstein remained looped into his professional world.
So Where Does This Leave the Story Now?
Taken together, these emails don’t just challenge Andrew’s Newsnight account—they dismantle it.
What was once presented as a clean break now looks like a long, complicated association that continued quietly for years.
With millions of documents still being examined, the obvious question hanging in the air is simple: what else is left to come out?
