'We'll play some more soon': Prince Andrew's message to Jeffrey Epstein two months after he said contact ended

30 January 2025, 22:40

Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein kept in touch longer than the duke had previously said
Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein kept in touch longer than the duke had previously said. Picture: Alamy

By Kit Heren

Prince Andrew told Jeffrey Epstein that they would "play some more soon" two months after he claimed their relationship had ended, newly surfaced messages reveal.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The disgraced brother of King Charles wrote to Epstein on the same day a photograph of him emerged with 17-year-old Virginia Giuffre - who claimed she was trafficked by the convicted paedophile.

Andrew had earlier said that he had cut off contact with Epstein in December 2010 - but this message from late February 2011, said: "Keep in close touch and we’ll play some more soon."

Epstein and Peter Mandelson, the Labour peer, Keir Starmer ally and new UK ambassador to the UK, remained in contact until at least August 2012.

The emails, as reported by Bloomberg, were revealed in a London court case as City regulator the Financial Conduct Authority defends an appeal by former Barclays CEO Jes Staley.

Read more: Prince Andrew won't join Royal Family at Sandringham Christmas amid Chinese ‘spy’ scandal

Read more: Prince Andrew reported to police for 'using fake name', as fresh royal row erupts

Prince Andrew
Prince Andrew. Picture: Alamy

Staley was fined heavily and blocked from holding a senior financial services management position until 2023 after he was found to have lied about his relationship with Epstein.

He claimed to have cut off contact with Epstein "well before" he joined Barclays, but emails reveal the pair were in touch until at least the run up to his appointment in 2015.

Emails show that Epstein invited Andrew to spend time with him and Staley. Andrew later said he and Staley were having dinner together the following night in Mayfair.

Epstein wrote to Andrew on February 27, saying: "jes staley will be in London on next tue afternoon, if you have time”.

Andrew wrote back to make sure he had the right date, and added: “keep in close touch and we’ll play some more soon”.

Emails also show that Mandelson, a former minister and recently appointed UK ambassador to Washington, had been in contact with Epstein.

Jeffrey Epstein
Jeffrey Epstein. Picture: Alamy

The messages also suggest that Mandelson stayed with Epstein in New York in 2012.

Andrew has strenuously denied claims against him and insisted he has no memory of encountering Ms Giuffre.

He settled her case against him, reportedly to the tune of several millions of pounds.

A spokesman for the Mandelson said previously that he "very much regrets ever having been introduced to Epstein.

He added: "This connection has been a matter of public record for some time. He never had any kind of professional or business relationship with Epstein in any form."

Epstein died in a prison cell as he awaited trial in 2019.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The UK will unveil new sanctions to "turn the screws" on Russia as it marks three years since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

UK to ‘turn the screws’ on Russia with new sanctions on three-year anniversary of Ukraine war

Netanyahu says the prisoners that were meant to be released today won't be until the next group of hostages is handed over .

Release of 602 Palestinian prisoners delayed until next group of hostages released 'without humiliating ceremonies', Netanyahu says

The M4 and the M48 have both been closed this evening after multiple people reported seeing a body on the road.

Two major motorways closed after human remains found on the road as drivers stuck for hours

The heavy iron roof at the Real Plaza Trujillo shopping centre, in the La Libertad region, fell onto dozens of people who were at the site.

Six people killed and 78 injured as Peru shopping centre food court roof collapsed in horror incident

Two guards were killed when armed assailants helped Amra escape from a prison convoy in Normandy last May, prompting a high-profile search.

Fugitive French prisoner 'the Fly' who staged deadly escape and prompted international hunt arrested in Romania

Yellow weather warning issued in the UK

Yellow warning issued as UK set to be battered by wind and rain in ‘severe weather’ on Sunday

Pope Francis.

Pope in 'critical condition' after suffering respiratory crisis, the Vatican said

French firefighters (C) operate near the site of a bladed weapon attack where a man is suspected of killing one person and wounding two municipal police officers in Mulhouse, eastern France on February 22, 2025.

One killed and several police officers injured in suspected terror attack in France

A police officer who removed a monitored offender's tag so that she could have a secret relationship with him has been jailed.

Police officer jailed after removing burglar’s tag to have secret sexual relationship with him

Sir Elton John and Simon Cowell have called on the Government to rethink proposals to relax copyright rules in a bid to protect creative talent from artificial intelligence (AI).

Sir Elton John and Simon Cowell unite behind copyright campaign to protect creative talent from US AI firms

Scratchcard.

Thieves win half a million on lottery ticket bought with stolen credit card

A police officer guards at the cordoned off Holocaust memorial after a man was attacked at the memorial site in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025.

Suspect in Berlin Holocaust Memorial stabbing wanted to kill Jewish people, police say

A prison guard..

Prisoners forced to give birth while handcuffed to male officers

Hamas fighters stand in formation as they prepare for the ceremony of Israeli hostages hand over to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Release of 602 Palestinian prisoners delayed due to 'assaults' say Hamas, amid 'violations' of ceasefire agreement

Tears of joy as sixth Israeli hostage handed over by Hamas - as 602 Palestinians poised for release

Tears of joy: Sixth Israeli hostage handed over by Hamas - as 602 Palestinians poised for release

Girl, 3, dies after a tram and van collide in Manchester

Girl, 3, dies after a tram and van collide in Manchester