An email believed to have been sent by Ghislaine Maxwell appears to confirm that a widely circulated photograph showing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor with his arm around Virginia Giuffre is authentic. Giuffre had accused him of sexually abusing her when she was a teenager.
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| Andrew pictured with Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell |
Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied the allegations and had previously cast doubt on the image, suggesting it may have been altered and insisting that he had never met Giuffre.
However, a message released in the latest tranche of the Epstein files includes a document titled “draft statement”, sent by someone identified as “G Maxwell” to Jeffrey Epstein in 2015. In the email, she wrote: “In 2001 I was in London when [redacted] met a number of friends of mine including Prince Andrew. A photograph was taken as I imagine she wanted to show it to friends and family.”
Giuffre’s family, who spoke to BBC Newsnight, said the email confirmed her long-standing claims. Her brother, Sky Roberts, said: “It truly does vindicate Virginia... she was not lying this entire time.” He added: “It’s a moment where we’re really proud of our sister.”
The email, released by the US Department of Justice (DoJ), also states that “G Maxwell” was unaware of “anything improper” happening at her home. While the individual referenced in the statement is redacted, the surrounding details strongly suggest Maxwell was referring to Giuffre.
Giuffre, who was a prominent accuser of Epstein and Maxwell, alleged that Mountbatten-Windsor had sexual encounters with her on three occasions while she was underage. He has denied the accusations and reached an out-of-court settlement with Giuffre in 2022, which did not include an admission of guilt or an apology.
Previously, a July 2011 email from Epstein—published by Democrats on the US House Oversight Committee—also appeared to support the authenticity of the photograph. In that message, Epstein, who is believed to have taken the photo, wrote: “Yes she [Giuffre] was on my plane and yes she had her picture taken with Andrew.”
During a 2019 Newsnight interview, Mountbatten-Windsor denied ever meeting Giuffre and suggested the image might have been manipulated. He said at the time: “Nobody can prove whether or not that photograph has been doctored but I don’t recollect that photograph ever being taken.” In the same interview, he infamously claimed he was not at Maxwell’s house but instead at a Pizza Express in Woking.
Speaking again to Newsnight on Wednesday, Giuffre’s sister-in-law, Amanda Roberts, said the release of the documents had been overwhelming. “I’ve felt like a moment of such overwhelming emotion because I wish she was here to see this, she fought so hard and so long and she was still so strong,” she said. Amanda added: “We’re proud of her and her accomplishments, but we miss her greatly in this moment, she should be revelling in this moment.”
In an earlier statement to Newsnight, the family said they were “hopeful that Andrew will face criminal charges.”
Mountbatten-Windsor continues to face scrutiny over his association with Epstein. On Monday, he moved from his residence in Windsor to the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.
Ashley Rubright, one of Epstein’s survivors, said she “cried” upon learning of Mountbatten-Windsor’s relocation from Royal Lodge. In a BBC interview, she said she felt “vindicated” and “elated” by efforts in the UK to hold those connected to Epstein accountable. “It’s a feeling that I can’t describe. If this amount of justice and accountability, even being asked questions about it makes me feel vindicated from another country’s actions, I can’t imagine what it would feel like to have my abuser personally held accountable in my country.”
Buckingham Palace announced in October last year that Mountbatten-Windsor would vacate his residence, coinciding with the removal of his royal titles.The latest DoJ document release also includes photographs showing Mountbatten-Windsor kneeling on all fours over a woman lying on the ground, along with multiple references to him in other files. One message appears to show him inviting Epstein to Buckingham Palace.
Several communications between Epstein—who was a convicted sex offender—and Mountbatten-Windsor took place after Epstein had pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor.
Epstein died in a New York prison on 10 August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.