An email believed to be from Ghislaine Maxwell appears to confirm that a widely circulated photograph showing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor with his arm around Virginia Giuffre is authentic.
The former prince, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing, had previously questioned whether the image had been doctored and said he had never met Giuffre. However, the email — released as part of the latest batch of Epstein-related documents — suggests otherwise.
The message, dated 2015 and titled “draft statement,” was sent by someone identified as “G Maxwell” to Jeffrey Epstein. In it, the sender wrote: “In 2001 I was in London when [redacted] met a number of friends of mine including Prince Andrew. A photograph was taken as I imagine she wanted to show it to friends and family.”
Virginia Giuffre, who accused Mountbatten-Windsor of sexual abuse, died in 2025. Her family said the email confirmed that she had been telling the truth.
“It truly does vindicate Virginia. She was not lying this entire time,” her brother, Sky Roberts, said. “It’s a moment where we’re really proud of our sister.”
The email, released by the US Department of Justice, also stated that “G Maxwell” was not aware of “anything improper” taking place at her home. Although the name of the person referenced in the message was redacted, the context indicates that Maxwell was referring to Giuffre.
Giuffre alleged that Mountbatten-Windsor had sex with her on three occasions when she was a teenager. He has always denied the allegations and reached an out-of-court settlement with Giuffre in 2022, without admitting liability or issuing an apology.
Representatives for Mountbatten-Windsor have been contacted for comment.
The email follows the release of a separate 2011 message from Epstein, published previously, in which he appeared to confirm that the former prince had been photographed with Giuffre. In that email, Epstein wrote: “Yes she was on my plane and yes she had her picture taken with Andrew.”
In a 2019 interview, Mountbatten-Windsor denied meeting Giuffre and suggested the photograph — or parts of it — may have been fake. He said at the time that he did not recall the photograph ever being taken and claimed he was not at Maxwell’s home on the night in question.
Giuffre’s sister-in-law, Amanda Roberts, described the release of the documents as overwhelming, saying she wished Giuffre were alive to see what she described as long-awaited confirmation of her claims.
“She fought so hard and so long and she was still so strong,” Roberts said. “We’re proud of her, but we miss her greatly. She should be here to see this.”
The family said they hoped Mountbatten-Windsor would eventually face criminal charges.
The former prince continues to face scrutiny over his links to Epstein. The latest document release included photographs and correspondence that repeatedly referenced him, including a message in which he appeared to invite Epstein to Buckingham Palace.
Several exchanges between Epstein and Mountbatten-Windsor took place years after Epstein had pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor.
Epstein died in a New York prison cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
Earlier this week, Mountbatten-Windsor moved out of his Windsor residence to the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, following a decision announced last year that he would leave the property after being stripped of his royal titles.
