Fresh Court Documents Reveal Details of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's 2010 Gathering with Jeffrey Epstein
A newly released cache of documents from the United States Justice Department has shed further light on the controversial relationship between Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The files, unsealed on Friday, contain emails that suggest the former prince attended an intimate dinner party with Epstein in December 2010, months after the financier's release from prison.
Contradictory Accounts of the New York Visit
Mountbatten-Windsor has previously stated that his trip to New York in December 2010 was specifically intended to sever ties with Epstein, who had been jailed for child sex offences in July 2009. During that visit, the pair were photographed walking together in Central Park, an image that would later become central to the scandal. In his much-criticised Newsnight interview, the former prince explained that he chose to meet Epstein in person to end their friendship, claiming that breaking the news "over the telephone was the chicken's way of doing it."
However, the newly released emails present a different narrative. Correspondence from Hollywood publicist Peggy Siegal indicates she was organising what she described as a "very interesting, fast, fun dinner" involving both Mountbatten-Windsor and Epstein. The gathering appears to have taken place at Epstein's New York residence, where the former prince was reportedly staying during his "unofficial private visit."
High-Profile Guest List and Private Invitations
The emails reveal Siegal extended invitations to several prominent figures for what she termed a "last-minute casual dinner" honouring Mountbatten-Windsor. The proposed guest list included:
- Film director Woody Allen and his wife, Soon Yi
- Political strategist George Stephanopoulos and his wife, actress Alexandra Wentworth
- Journalist Katie Couric
- Talk show host Charlie Rose
While it remains unclear exactly who attended the gathering, the correspondence suggests Wentworth withdrew because her children were unwell. In one particularly revealing email to Stephanopoulos, Siegal wrote: "Come on time and you will have private time with Andrew as he is staying at the house." This detail directly contradicts Mountbatten-Windsor's assertion that he was there solely to terminate his association with Epstein.
Further Revelations from the Epstein Files
The document release also contains correspondence between Mountbatten-Windsor and Epstein's accomplice, British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence in the United States for child sex trafficking. One email from Maxwell, sent to an address believed to belong to the former prince, expresses condolences following the death of the Queen Mother in 2002.
The message reads: "Sweat pea – sorry you had to rush home, and also under such sad circumstances. However much the passing was to be expected in one so old, it does not make it any less sad. She was wonderful, and I am happy that I managed to meet her and speak with her. We shall reschedule. Love you. Gx."
A reply sent the following day from the account thought to be Mountbatten-Windsor's – where the sender identifies themselves as The Invisible Man – states: "Got your message this morning. Sorry to have missed you yesterday I will ring later today to chat. A xxx."
Another email from the same account includes a lighthearted inquiry to an unnamed recipient, asking if they are having more children and jokingly labelling them "super sperm." The message continues: "Sorry – I am in LA on my way to Hawaii. Is it true you are having more children? I shall have to refer to you as super sperm!"
Broader Context and Legal Settlements
These revelations emerge against the backdrop of Mountbatten-Windsor's complete withdrawal from royal life and the stripping of his titles, consequences directly linked to his association with Epstein. The financier took his own life in prison in 2019 while facing fresh child sexual abuse charges.
In 2022, Mountbatten-Windsor reportedly paid a settlement of approximately £12 million to Virginia Giuffre, who had accused him of sexual abuse after being trafficked to him by Epstein. Giuffre tragically died by suicide in April 2023. The former prince has consistently and strenuously denied all allegations, making the payment without admitting any liability.
The latest document release adds another layer of complexity to an already convoluted scandal, raising further questions about the true nature of Mountbatten-Windsor's relationship with Epstein during the period when he claims to have been ending it.
