Among the Jeffrey Epstein files released by the Justice Department late on Monday is an email from a writer who signed the correspondence as “A” and claimed to be staying at a British royal residence.
In the email, which is addressed to Ghislaine Maxwell, the longtime Epstein associate who was convicted of sex-trafficking, the sender asks if Ms. Maxwell has “found me some new inappropriate friends.”
The writer also writes about being at Balmoral Castle, an estate in the Scottish highlands that is the favored summer residence of the British royal family.
The New York Times has not confirmed the identity of the sender, whose email address was [email protected]. But the disclosure of the email casts a fresh spotlight on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew.
Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor’s friendship with Mr. Epstein, and allegations that he sexually abused a young woman trafficked to him by the late financier, led to public scandal and a precipitous fall from grace. He became a person of interest to federal prosecutors investigating Ms. Maxwell in 2021, a fact which is also noted in emails released late Monday.
Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor has long denied that he raped the woman, Virginia Roberts Giuffre. But in October, he was stripped of his royal titles after new disclosures laid bare the extent of his closeness with Mr. Epstein.
In the email sent in August 2001, “A” writes: “I am up here at Balmoral Summer Camp for the Royal Family. Activities take place all day and I am totally exhausted at the end of each day.”
The message continues: “How’s LA? Have you found me some new inappropriate friends? Let me know when you are coming over as I am free from 25th August until 2nd Sept and want to go somewhere hot and sunny with some fun people before having to put my nose firmly to the grindstone for the Fall.”
Ms. Maxwell, who is serving a federal prison sentence for helping Mr. Epstein traffic underage girls, wrote back the same day: “So sorry to disappoint you, however the truth must be told. I have only been able to find appropriate friends.”
“A” replied to Ms. Maxwell that he or she was “Distraught!” and then told Ms. Maxwell that his or her valet had died.
“I am a little off balance,” “A” wrote, “as not only has my office been restructured, I have left the RN and now my whole life is in turmoil as I have no one to look after me,” appearing to refer to the Royal Navy.
Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor retired from the British Navy in 2001.
His office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Buckingham Palace declined to comment.
Debra Kamin contributed reporting.
Stephen Castle is a London correspondent of The Times, writing widely about Britain, its politics and the country’s relationship with Europe.
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