Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, as the former prince is now called, lost his title of prince and countless royal privileges because of his involvement with Epstein.Image: keystone
Feb 9, 2026, 3:35 p.mFeb 9, 2026, 3:35 p.m
The Epstein files reveal further problematic information about British ex-Prince Andrew. British media discovered emails that suggest that the former trade representative passed confidential documents to his friend Jeffrey Epstein.
The emails, some of which were sent in December 2010 and early 2011, also undermine Andrew’s claims that he had previously broken off contact with Jeffrey Epstein. The US multimillionaire, who ran an abuse ring for years that victimized dozens of young women and girls, had already been convicted of prostituting a minor.
The documents shared include reports of official visits to Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore in Andrew’s role as the British government’s trade representative. An analysis of investment opportunities in Afghanistan also ended up in Epstein’s email inbox.
Ex-Prince Andrew with an unknown person.Image: keystone
It was initially unclear whether Andrew could have committed a criminal offense. The Thames Valley Police, which is responsible for his former home in Windsor, said it was investigating the allegations, according to the British news agency PA.
Hecklers disrupt King Charles’s appearance
Andrew’s involvement in the Epstein scandal is also increasingly troubling other royals: When Andrew’s older brother, King Charles III, visited the northwestern English county of Lancashire on Monday, a man called out to him: “How long did you know about Andrew?” It was the king’s second public appearance that was disrupted by a heckler on the subject.
Andrew, who was friends with Epstein for years, denies any knowledge or even involvement in the actions of the US multimillionaire, who died in 2019. One of Epstein’s victims, Virginia Giuffre, accused Andrew of abusing her several times, including when she was a minor. Although Andrew strongly denied the allegations, he agreed to a settlement reportedly worth millions of dollars with the now deceased Giuffre in a US civil lawsuit.
Over time, the king’s younger brother lost his role as an official representative of the royal family as well as all honors, military ranks and titles as a result of the allegations. Finally, Charles stripped him of the title “Prince” he had acquired through birth. His name is now just Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. He also had to move out of the luxurious Royal Lodge property on the grounds of Windsor Castle. (sda/dpa)