The United States Department of Justice has published a trove of over three million documents relating to the late paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, with one revealing email from his associate Ghislaine Maxwell attracting particular attention for its intimate tone and royal connections.
Intimate Correspondence Uncovered
Among the documents made public on Friday is an email sent by the disgraced British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell on 31st March 2002. The message was addressed to an account titled "The Invisible Man" and is believed to be intended for Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, whose full name is Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
In the correspondence, Maxwell refers to the recipient affectionately as "sweet pea" while expressing condolences following the death of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, who passed away the previous day at the age of 101.
Content of the Revealing Email
Maxwell's email 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 Invisible Man" states: "Got your message this morning. Sorry to have missed you yesterday I will ring later today to chat. A xxx."
Further Questionable Exchanges
The document release includes another email from the same "The Invisible Man" account that raises further questions. In this message, the sender asks a redacted account if they are planning to have more children, humorously labelling them "super sperm."
The email states: "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!" This correspondence carries the subject line "Re: AKE in New York."
Background of the Epstein Scandal
Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender and financier at the centre of this scandal, was found dead in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan in August 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. His death was officially ruled a suicide by the medical examiner.
Prince Andrew has faced serious allegations regarding his association with Epstein, including claims by Virginia Giuffre that he sexually assaulted her when she was a teenager after she was trafficked by Epstein. The Duke has consistently and strenuously denied these allegations.
Royal Consequences and Legal Settlements
In 2022, Prince Andrew paid millions to Ms Giuffre to settle a civil sexual assault claim out of court, despite maintaining he had never met her. The Duke stepped back from royal duties in 2019 following a widely criticised interview on BBC Newsnight about his relationship with Epstein.
The publication of Ms Giuffre's posthumous memoir and the ongoing release of documents from Epstein's estate by US authorities has maintained intense scrutiny on Prince Andrew's connections to the disgraced financier. This scrutiny ultimately led King Charles III to officially remove his brother's HRH style and prince title in a significant royal demotion.
The release of these documents continues to shed light on the extensive network surrounding Jeffrey Epstein and raises further questions about the nature of relationships between wealthy, powerful individuals and the convicted sex offender.
