Newly released emails have unveiled further connections between convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and former Prince Andrew, with the biographer of the disgraced royal suggesting that these revelations may be the final blow to his reputation.
Following his association with Epstein, Prince Andrew was stripped of his royal titles and honors by King Charles. Buckingham Palace issued a strong statement expressing support for survivors of abuse in light of the situation.
As a result of the scrutiny, Prince Andrew has agreed to relinquish his long-held residence, Royal Lodge, where he has been paying a nominal rent to the Crown Estate for over two decades. This move came amidst public outcry as allegations of sexual assault made by Virginia Giuffre against Andrew resurfaced with the impending release of her memoir.
Reports indicate that Prince Andrew has been offered a luxurious residence in Abu Dhabi as an option to leave the UK, a move reminiscent of King Juan Carlos I of Spain. However, Andrew is said to be relocating to a property on King Charles’s estate in Norfolk, Sandringham.
Renowned biographer Andrew Lownie, author of the book ‘Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York’, believes that the newly disclosed Epstein emails expose the falsehoods in Prince Andrew’s statements regarding his relationship with Epstein.
Despite his claims of cutting ties with Epstein in 2010, the emails reveal continued contact between the two. Epstein’s correspondence also confirms Andrew’s involvement in a photograph with Virginia Giuffre, one of his accusers.
The authenticity of the infamous photo of Giuffre, Andrew, and Ghislaine Maxwell has been debated, with Andrew denying recollection of the image being taken. Epstein’s email to a journalist in July 2011 corroborated Giuffre’s presence on his plane and the photo with Andrew.
Lownie maintains that the latest revelations are damning for Prince Andrew, underscoring his deep involvement with Epstein. He suggests that Andrew should be investigated as a flight risk, urging authorities to seize his passport.
Reports from The Sun suggest that an offer of a new residence in Abu Dhabi has been extended to Prince Andrew by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, acknowledging Andrew’s past role as a trade envoy to the UK.
Buckingham Palace has been approached for comment on the matter.