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A newly published electronic message reportedly reveals that Prince Andrew told Jeffrey Epstein "we are in this together" following the publication of a picture showing the British royal with his embracing a young Virginia Giuffre in 2011.

This disclosure appears to conflict with the Duke's earlier statements to the BBC, where he asserted he had ceased contact with the convicted sex offender by that time.

Message Exchange Details

According to the released correspondence, the king’s younger brother reportedly contacted Epstein on February 28, 2011, the day after the famous image of the duke, Giuffre, and Ghislaine Maxwell was released to the public.

In his message, he allegedly instructed Epstein to "stay in close contact" and expressed a wish to "play some more soon."

"I’m just as concerned for you! Don’t worry about me! It would seem we are in this together and will have to overcome it. Apart from that stay in contact and we’ll see each other again soon!!!!"

The email was reportedly concluded with: "A, His Royal Highness The Duke of York, KG."

Inconsistency with Previous Statements

In a 2019 interview, Andrew informed journalist Emily Maitlis that he had ended his relationship with Epstein in December 2010, following being pictured with him in New York.

He subsequently claimed that in December 2010 he "needed to demonstrate leadership" and "had to go and see him" to tell him "it's over."

However, the recently published email suggests that contact continued beyond that stated ending point.

Context on Jeffrey Epstein

• Jeffrey Epstein was found dead in his jail cell at a federal jail in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking. The death was declared a suicide.
• He had earlier, in 2008, pleaded guilty to offenses of procuring prostitution and procuring a minor for prostitution, for which he served time.

Court Papers and Additional Revelations

In January, a section of the message from the Prince emerged in court documents concerning a legal dispute involving the ex-Barclays CEO Jes Staley.

Staley was appealing against a finding by the UK banking regulator that he had given a misleading account about the extent of his connection with Epstein.

In other news, it also was revealed this weekend that ex-PM Tony Blair met with Epstein in Downing Street while he was in office, after a recommendation by Peter Mandelson.

He had described Epstein as "trustworthy" and a "acquaintance" in an email prior to the encounter.

Buckingham Palace and the Prince's office have been contacted for comment.