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Newly released documents from the so-called Epstein files have revealed a series of emails written by an “A” in Balmoral to Ghislaine Maxwell, asking whether she had found them any “inappropriate friends”.
The US Department of Justice on Tuesday published nearly 30,000 pages relating to the disgraced paedophile financier, the largest single drop so far, some of which include references to the British royal residence in Scotland.
In one email, Maxwell, who was jailed for 20 years for her role in sex-trafficking Epstein’s victims, asked an acquaintance to introduce “Andrew” to “friendly and discreet and fun” friends and to “some 2 legged sight seeing”.
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A newly released photo appears to show Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell with an unidentified third person near Balmoral (DOJ)
The email added: “He does not want to read about any trip in the papers [describing] whom or what he saw.”
In the latest document release, an email in August 2001 from “A” with the address “The Invisible Man” reads: “I am up here at Balmoral Summer Camp for the Royal Family.” The writer claims to be “totally exhausted”, and asks Maxwell how she is.
They add: “How’s LA? Have you found me some new inappropriate friends? Let me know when you are coming over as I am free from 25th August until 2nd Sept and want to go somewhere hot and sunny with some fun people before having to put my nose firmly to the grindstone for the Fall.” The email concludes: “Any ideas gratefully received! See ya A xxx”
In response, Maxwell wrote: “So sorry to disappoint you, however the truth must be told. I have only been able to find appropriate friends.”
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An email sent from ‘The Invisible Man’ to Maxwell from the royal residence in Scotland (DOJ)
The individual “A” responded “Distraught!” and wrote that they had just lost their valet, who had been with them since they were two years old.
“I am a little off balance as not only has my office been restructured, I have left the RN and now my whole life is in turmoil as I have no one to look after me,” they wrote.
In March 2002, Maxwell forwarded another email. “I just gave Andrew your telephone no. He is interested in seeing the Nazca Lines,” she wrote, apparently referring to the archaeological site in southern Peru. “He can ride but it is not his favorite sport ie pass on the horses.”
She added: “Some sight seeing some 2 legged sight seeing (read intelligent pretty fun and from good families) and he will be very happy. I know I can rely on you to show him a wonderful time and that you will only introduce him to friends that you can trust and rely on to be friendly and discreet and fun.”
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The then Prince Andrew pictured reclining across the laps of several people in a photograph kept by Epstein (DOJ)
In another, the sender “A” said they would leave “the girls” to Maxwell and another individual, in response to an email in which the sender suggested they would try to find some.
The latest Epstein documents shed further light on the extent of Epstein’s relationship with the royal family, and come after the former Prince Andrew was stripped of his title over his friendship with the late financier.
In separate documents released last week, the then Prince Andrew was shown in photographs introducing Epstein to members of British high society, with one image showing the royal reclining across the legs of several people with his head near to one woman’s lap.
The picture was reportedly taken at Sandringham, the King’s private estate in Norfolk, where the former prince will move to from Windsor in the new year.
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Epstein, Andrew and Maxwell pictured in the royal box at Ascot (DOJ)
The former prince has always strongly denied any wrongdoing, and said in October: “As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.”
Buckingham Palace and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor have been contacted for comment.
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor stepped down from royal duties in 2019 after his disastrous Newsnight interview, but the recent publication of Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir and the US government’s ongoing release of documents from Epstein’s estate have prompted further scrutiny of his relationship with the financier.
It led to the King officially stripping his disgraced brother of both his HRH style and his prince title. He has also been told to move from his home in Royal Lodge to Marsh Farm, a substantially smaller property privately funded by the King.