Prince Andrew to Epstein: 'We Are in This Together'
Prince Andrew at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, 1st September 2011. Photo by Thorne1983 under CC BY-SA 3.0.
A newly surfaced email has sent shockwaves through royal circles and beyond, allegedly revealing Prince Andrew reaching out to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein just a day after a damning photo of the Duke of York with Virginia Giuffre went public. The alleged email, dripping with camaraderie, included the striking line, "It would seem we are in this together ... keep in close touch, and we'll play some more soon," as reported by PEOPLE. This revelation directly contradicts Andrew's repeated claims, including a high-profile 2019 BBC interview, that he had severed ties with Epstein months earlier, reigniting intense scrutiny over his long-standing and controversial relationship with the disgraced financier.
A Royal Scandal Reignited
The email, reportedly dated February 2011, arrived just one day after the infamous photograph of Prince Andrew with his arm around Virginia Giuffre was published by British tabloids. The image, taken at Ghislaine Maxwell's London residence, became a symbol of the scandal that has dogged the Duke of York for over a decade. Giuffre, who died by suicide earlier this year, had alleged that Epstein trafficked her to have sex with Andrew multiple times when she was underage. The prince has consistently denied these allegations, even questioning the authenticity of the photograph itself during his 2019 interview with BBC's Emily Maitlis.
What makes this email so explosive is its timing and tone. Andrew's message to Epstein expressed concern for the financier's predicament but also a sense of shared fate, suggesting a bond that extended beyond mere acquaintance. The phrase "we are in this together" appears to imply a mutual understanding of the gravity of their situation, a far cry from the narrative Andrew has maintained publicly — that he cut ties with Epstein in December 2010 after a face-to-face meeting in New York where he supposedly ended their association.
The Email That Shattered the Narrative
According to Hello! Magazine, the email was allegedly sent from Andrew's official address, complete with his royal signature, "A, HRH The Duke of York, KG," underscoring its authenticity. The message urged Epstein not to worry about him and encouraged continued contact, even hinting at future social engagements with the phrase "we'll play some more soon." This casual, almost jovial tone stands in stark contrast to the serious allegations swirling around Epstein and his associates at the time.
This bombshell correspondence surfaced alongside another old email, this time from Andrew's ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, in which she allegedly praised the convicted pedophile as a "supreme friend," according to Hello! Magazine. The email from Ferguson was supposedly sent after she had already publicly distanced herself from Epstein in 2011. Ferguson was reportedly dropped from several charity patronages in the wake of the recent email revelation.
The Public and Legal Fallout
The newly revealed email piles fresh pressure on Prince Andrew, who has faced legal battles and public outrage over his Epstein ties. In 2022, he reportedly settled a lawsuit brought by Virginia Giuffre for a reported $13 million, without admitting any wrongdoing. Yet, the settlement did little to quell public skepticism or media scrutiny. The email's emergence adds to the scrutiny and raises public questions about the extent of Andrew's involvement and knowledge of Epstein's criminal activities.
Buckingham Palace and Andrew's representatives have yet to comment on the email's release. The timing of this disclosure, coinciding with the posthumous publication of Giuffre's memoir, "Nobody's Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice," suggests that more revelations may be on the horizon, keeping the scandal alive in the public eye.
A Royal Family Under Siege
This email not only draws renewed attention to Prince Andrew but also casts a shadow over the British royal family, already grappling with multiple controversies. The Duke of York's brother, King Charles, faces the challenge of managing the fallout while maintaining the monarchy's fragile public image. The scandal underscores the complex intersections of power, privilege, and accountability that continue to captivate and divide public opinion.
The Epstein saga has also ensnared other high-profile figures, including former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, who allegedly met Epstein in Downing Street years before Epstein's conviction. These connections highlight the far-reaching influence Epstein wielded and the difficulty in untangling the full extent of his network.
What This Means for Prince Andrew
For Prince Andrew, the email is a stark reminder that the past refuses to stay buried. His repeated assertions of cutting ties with Epstein are now contradicted by his own words, raising public questions about his credibility and judgment. The phrase "we are in this together" suggests a level of complicity or at least a shared burden that Andrew has long denied.
As the public digests this new evidence, the Duke of York's future remains uncertain. The royal's attempts to rehabilitate his image face significant hurdles, with this email serving as a potent symbol of the scandal's enduring grip.
References: Prince Andrew Reportedly Told Jeffrey Epstein 'We Are in This Together' in Email | Prince Andrew told Jeffrey Epstein 'we're in this together' in 2011 email | Prince Andrew | Prince Andrew told Jeffrey Epstein 'we are in this together' in unearthed email - report | Prince Andrew to address Jeffrey Epstein scandal claims in 'no holds barred' TV interview
