Newly released emails indicate that Prince Andrew vouched for Jeffrey Epstein during a UK state visit to the United Arab Emirates in 2010, when Andrew travelled alongside Queen Elizabeth II.
The correspondence, dated 24 November 2010, was sent from an account labelled “The Duke” to Epstein and carried the subject line “Abdullah”, an apparent reference to the UAE foreign affairs minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. In the message, Andrew wrote that the minister “thinks you are great” and would like to introduce Epstein to Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, then crown prince of Abu Dhabi.
“Doesn’t think it can be done before the end of the year though,” the email added. “I will discuss further and report back.”
The date of the message coincides with the UK state visit to the UAE, which also included Prince Philip and the then foreign secretary, William Hague. Sheikh Mohamed later became ruler of Abu Dhabi and president of the UAE in 2022.
Epstein appeared to respond by suggesting leisure plans, writing: “Ask Abdullah for a date when we can all go on vacation.”
Separate emails suggest Epstein had already met senior Emirati figures earlier that month. In a message sent on 7 November 2010, Epstein wrote to Andrew: “I met with both abdulla – aby dhabi, and mahammed – dubai [sic] today,” referring to Sheikh Abdullah and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Another exchange appears to show Epstein advising Andrew on how to present him during discussions with the UAE foreign minister. Epstein suggested emphasising qualities such as “trust”, “financial expertise”, funding for “extreme science”, and being “fun”.
The emails were released by the United States Department of Justice. The documents do not allege wrongdoing by UAE officials.
All of the correspondence dates to the period when Andrew served as the UK’s special representative for trade and investment, a role he held from 2001 to 2011.
In a separate set of emails from May 2010, Andrew appeared to discuss investment restrictions associated with that position. At the time, Epstein was under house arrest in the United States after pleading guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution.
In one message, Andrew wrote that delegating investment decisions could avoid potential conflicts: “So long as I delegate any responsibility to invest then there are no problems. So Trusts are delegated responsibility as too are any Banks or Investment Vehicles or for that matter Trusted individuals.”
Andrew has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein’s crimes.
