Prince Andrew could be banned from indulging in fun activities at royal residences, like shooting, after the latest bombshell revelations about his relationship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, reports have claimed. The Duke of York found himself in hot water over the weekend after an email emerged in which he allegedly told the disgraced financier that “we are in this together,” three months after the date he declared to have ceased contact with him.
The alleged email was sent a day after the emergence of an infamous photo seemingly portraying him with his abuse accuser, Virginia Giuffre. The photo was published for the first time on February 27, 2011, and appears to show the Duke with his arm around Virginia’s waist at the London townhouse of Epstein’s then-girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell.
Andrew told Emily Maitlis’ BBC Newsnight in 2019 that he severed contact with the disgraced financier in December 2010.
But an email seen by the Sun, dated February 28, 2011, appears to suggest the Duke kept in touch with Epstein longer than he declared.
In the email, the prince reportedly told Epstein: “I’m just as concerned for you! Don’t worry about me! It would seem we are in this together and will have to rise above it.”
He also appeared to be willing to keep up their friendship, urging the convicted paedophile to “keep in close touch”. He said: “We’ll play some more soon!!!!”
Now sources have claimed that the disgraced Duke could be banned from hosting shooting parties on royal estates, according to the Daily Mail.
It is also understood that the Duke and Duchess of York will not be welcome at the Royal Family’s Christmas celebrations at Sandringham this year.
Virginia Giuffre, previously known as Virginia Roberts (her maiden name), was one of the most prominent accusers of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and also a campaigner for victims of sex trafficking.
Among other allegations, she claimed that Epstein forced her to have sex with the Duke of York three times when she was 17 – in New York, London, and the US Virgin Islands. Andrew has repeatedly and vehemently denied the claims.
On November 16, 2019, during his BBC interview, Andrew claimed that he had “no recollection of ever meeting” Ms Giuffre, denying the allegations against him and any wrongdoing. Regarding Epstein, he stated that: “I have stayed in a number of his residences. At no stage during the limited time I spent with him did I see, witness or suspect any behaviour of the sort that subsequently led to his arrest and conviction.”
He also denied that the infamous picture of him appearing to have his hand around a young Ms Giuffre was real, saying: “Listen, I don’t remember, I don’t remember that photograph ever being taken.”
The interview led to a public backlash, and days later, Andrew announced that he would be stepping down from his royal duties, adding that he deeply sympathised with Epstein’s victims and everyone who “wants some form of closure”.
Prince Andrew’s office and Buckingham Palace have been contacted for comment.