An email sent to Jeffrey Epstein from a “member of the British Royal Family,” believed to be Prince Andrew, read: “Keep in close touch and we’ll play some more soon!!!!” The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) court documents indicate this email was sent in February 2011.
During his BBC Newsnight interview, Prince Andrew stated that he had not seen or spoken to Epstein after visiting his New York residence in December 2010, a meeting he later described as a “wrong decision.”
The email surfaced in a court case involving the FCA and banker Jes Staley, who was barred from senior roles for misrepresenting his ties to Epstein. Staley is appealing the FCA’s decision, but the regulator’s evidence includes emails referencing a “member of the British Royal Family,” depicting what appear to be friendly interactions.
In June 2010, Epstein sent an email stating: “If you can find time to show Jes around with Vera, that would be fun… he told me he ran into you tonight,” as first reported by Bloomberg. The Royal Family member responded by inquiring about Vera’s identity. A few days later, Epstein replied: “My future ex-wife, I know Jes and she would love to see home.” A dinner was seemingly arranged thereafter.
During Prince Andrew’s Newsnight interview, he was questioned about his connection with Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial. Andrew claimed to have cut ties with Epstein after learning of the investigation into him in 2006 and did not reconnect until 2010.
A photograph captured Prince Andrew and Epstein walking together in New York’s Central Park in December 2010, while the prince stayed at Epstein’s residence. Interviewer Emily Maitlis asked: “Was that visit, December of 2010, the only time you saw him after he was convicted?” to which Andrew replied, “Yes.” When asked if he had spoken to Epstein again, he responded, “No.”
However, emails from a few months later suggest that while direct conversations may not have occurred, friendly exchanges continued.
According to court documents, on 27 February 2011, Epstein wrote: “Jes Staley will be in London on next Tue afternoon, if you have time.” The Royal Family member responded with a question: “Jes is coming on 1st March or next week?” The documents also reference a “discussion of press articles” before the message: “Keep in close touch and we’ll play some more soon!!!!”
The Duke of York’s office has been contacted for comment.
