Newly released documents are intensifying scrutiny on Prince Andrew and his long-standing association with Jeffrey Epstein, a relationship that effectively forced him into royal exile. The files reveal a network of communication and raise disturbing questions about the extent of his involvement.
Among the most striking revelations is an email from someone identified only as “A,” penned while at Balmoral Castle, a private residence of the Royal Family. This individual casually inquired of Ghislaine Maxwell about locating “new inappropriate friends,” hinting at a desire for connections beyond acceptable boundaries.
The documents detail a concerted effort by U.S. authorities to interview the Prince, not only regarding Epstein but also concerning Peter Nygard, a Canadian fashion mogul accused of horrific sexual assaults. This pursuit of information about Nygard represents a previously unknown dimension to the investigation.
A formal request from the Justice Department in April 2020 explicitly asked U.K. officials to arrange a voluntary interview with Andrew, and to compel one if he refused. Investigators sought to understand his connections to Nygard and allegations of a sex trafficking ring operating at Nygard’s estate in the Bahamas, known as “Nygard Cay.”
The request specifically mentioned that investigators knew of at least one instance where Prince Andrew traveled to Nygard Cay, a location believed to be used for trafficking both adult women and underage girls. Photographs of Andrew and Nygard together in the Bahamas have circulated in the British press for years.
U.S. authorities wanted to know what Andrew observed during his visits to Nygard Cay, and if he encountered any females who appeared to be under the age of eighteen. Despite these serious inquiries, officials stressed that Andrew was not a target and no evidence of U.S. law violations had been found.
The files also revisit the Epstein investigation itself, revealing that prosecutors believed Andrew possessed knowledge of Maxwell’s recruitment of women for sexual encounters with Epstein and others. There was even evidence suggesting Andrew engaged in sexual conduct with one of Epstein’s victims, though he remained outside the scope of being a formal target.
While previous reports indicated U.S. authorities sought an interview, the newly released documents lay bare the specific lines of questioning and the breadth of the investigations. Despite repeated attempts, Andrew has never been questioned by U.S. officials.
Further complicating matters, material from a Florida court case includes allegations from “Jane Doe #3” – widely believed to be Virginia Giuffre – who claims she was trafficked by Epstein and forced into sexual encounters with Andrew in London, New York, and on Epstein’s private island.
A civil case brought by Giuffre against Andrew was settled in 2022, without any admission of liability from the Prince. The files reveal a frustrating back-and-forth between U.S. prosecutors and Andrew’s legal team, with promises of cooperation that ultimately failed to materialize.
Following a damaging 2019 interview, Andrew publicly stated his willingness to assist law enforcement. However, the then-U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Geoffrey Berman, later declared that Andrew had provided “zero cooperation,” a claim disputed by his lawyers.
The email exchanges extend beyond the Epstein investigation, revealing a personal connection between Maxwell and “A,” who appears to be Prince Andrew. In a 2001 email from Balmoral, “A” lamented the loss of his valet and expressed a desire for “fun people” and a “hot and sunny” escape.
Maxwell’s response, noting she had only found “appropriate friends,” drew a frustrated “Distraught!” from “A.” The email also reveals a sense of upheaval in Andrew’s life, having recently left the Royal Navy and feeling “off balance” without his long-serving valet.
Separate emails from 2002 show Maxwell discussing arranging a trip to Peru for “Andrew,” specifically requesting “intelligent pretty fun and from good families” as companions. Andrew did indeed visit Peru in March 2002, though no illegal activity has been linked to that trip.
The cumulative weight of these revelations ultimately led to King Charles III stripping Andrew of his royal title and removing him from his residence at the Royal Lodge, marking a dramatic fall from grace for the former prince.
