Epstein Documents Reveal Dinner Date Arrangements Between Russian Woman and Prince Andrew
Newly released documents from the Jeffrey Epstein case have revealed detailed email exchanges in which the convicted paedophile financier helped arrange a dinner date between a 26-year-old Russian woman and Prince Andrew, with the woman later describing having an "amazing night". The correspondence forms part of the latest release of the so-called Epstein files by the U.S. Department of Justice, which published more than three million documents relating to the disgraced financier on Friday.
Email Exchanges Detail Arrangements for London Meeting
The email chain begins with Epstein describing the woman to the former duke as "26, russian, clevere (sic) beautiful, trustworthy" in an apparent attempt to facilitate their meeting. Correspondence between the woman and Epstein indicates they had known each other for at least a year, with the woman seeking Epstein's advice when planning a trip to London in August 2010.
In an email dated 8 August 2010, the woman wrote to Epstein: "Hi Jeffrey!!! How are you? Jeffrey, I need your advice. If I go to London (on my way back from Russia) sometime between August 27 and Sept 5 do you think somebody will be there and what are the best dates?"
Royal Correspondence and Meeting Confirmation
Epstein then appears to have communicated with an email address named "The Duke", which signed off with "HRH The Duke of York KG", writing: "I have a friend who I think you might enjoy having dinner with." The response from "The Duke" stated: "Of course. I am in Geneva until the morning of 22nd but would be delighted to see her. Will she be bringing a message from you? Please give her my contact details to get in touch. A."
In a subsequent exchange, "The Duke" asked Epstein: "Great. Any other information you might know about her that might be useful to know? Like what have you told her about me and have you given her my email as well?"
On 12 August, Epstein wrote to the Russian woman confirming that "the evening of the 22 nd [is] confimed [sic]."
The Aftermath and Royal Family Response
On 22 August, the day of the alleged meeting with the former prince, when asked if she was "having fun", the woman responded: "I had an amazing night, thank you!" Three days later, she emailed Epstein: "Hi Jeffrey! How are you? I tried to reach [redacted] but couldn't, will find a way to do it.. I'm going to Russia now where you by the way need to come soon too! Thank you for everything again. My trip has been a really special adventure."
The email exchanges occurred two years after Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution, for which he served 13 months in a jail work-release programme. Meanwhile, police are reviewing new claims that a young woman was sent for a sexual encounter with Andrew in the UK in 2010.
Police Investigation and Royal Commentary
Lawyers representing the woman have urged the King to contact them after allegations that the woman spent the night at the then prince's Royal Lodge residence in Windsor. According to US law firm Edwards Henderson, the woman, who is not British, was also given a tour of Buckingham Palace.
A Thames Valley Police spokesperson stated: "We are aware of reports about a woman said to have been taken to an address in Windsor in 2010 for sexual purposes. We are assessing the information in line with our established procedures. We take any reports of sexual crimes extremely seriously and encourage anyone with information to come forward."
Earlier this week, Prince Edward became the first member of the royal family to speak out about the most recently released Epstein documents. The Duke of Edinburgh stated that it is "really important always to remember the victims" when questioned over the bombshell release, which includes fresh revelations about his brother.
He told CNN's Eleni Giokos: "Well, with the best will in the world. I'm not sure this is the audience that is probably the least bit interested in that. They all came here to listen to education, solving the future. But no, I think it's all really important always to remember the victims, and who are the victims in all this, a lot of victims in all this."
