July 2006 – The FBI opens its first investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, drafting an indictment by May 2007 that details alleged under‑age sexual massages, before a 2008 non‑prosecution agreement ends the case [24].

2008 – Epstein is convicted of soliciting a minor for prostitution, a plea that later fuels scrutiny of his high‑profile contacts [3][24].

2009 – Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, emails Epstein calling him “the brother I have always wished for” and later thanks him for a £20,000 rent payment, revealing a personal gratitude that later appears in DOJ releases [3][11].

August 2010 – Epstein sends an email to “The Duke” (identified as Prince Andrew) proposing a dinner with a “26‑year‑old Russian, clever, beautiful, trustworthy” woman and offering a private meeting at Buckingham Palace; Andrew replies he will be “delighted to see her” [7][12][25].

December 2010 – After a New York visit, Andrew emails Epstein “It was great to spend time with my US family. Looking forward to joining you all again soon,” contradicting his later claim that the trip ended their relationship [6].

2010 (later revealed) – A woman trafficked by Epstein alleges she spent the night with Andrew at Royal Lodge, was given tea and a Buckingham Palace tour, marking the first claim of a sexual encounter inside a royal residence [4][2].

February 2011 – Andrew writes to Epstein “This week is all about me,” thanking him for helping resolve a problem for his ex‑wife Sarah and announcing an “annual retreat,” contradicting his public statements that he cut off contact the previous year [6].

2012‑13 – Elon Musk discusses possible trips to Epstein’s Caribbean island, later denying any involvement and posting on X in 2025 that he refused Epstein’s invitation [3][23].

2019 – Andrew’s disastrous BBC Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis turns him into an internet punchline and fuels his reluctance to face further questioning [22].

February 2020 – U.S. DOJ prosecutors email Andrew’s lawyers requesting a voluntary interview about Epstein, a request that stalls amid the pandemic [6].

February 2022 – Virginia Giuffre settles her U.S. civil suit against Andrew for an estimated £12 million, ending the case without admission of liability [1][4].

October 2025 – King Charles III strips Andrew of his princely style, titles and honours and orders him to vacate Royal Lodge, an unprecedented “nuclear option” to protect the monarchy [9][14][20].

13 December 2025 – The Metropolitan Police close their investigation into claims that Andrew asked a protection officer to obtain Virginia Giuffre’s personal details, citing a lack of new evidence [9][14][26].

22 December 2025 – A newly released Epstein‑file photograph shows Andrew lying across the laps of five women at Sandringham’s Saloon, with Ghislaine Maxwell in the background, intensifying public scrutiny ahead of the royal Christmas [20].

24 December 2025 – The U.S. Justice Department releases an additional batch of Epstein‑related documents, including references to Trump and further evidence of high‑level contacts [13][24].

30 January 2026 – DOJ publishes a massive tranche of over three million pages, 2 000 videos and 180 000 images, fulfilling the Epstein Files Transparency Act and exposing hundreds of references to Prince Andrew, Sarah Ferguson and Peter Mandelson [3][23].

31 January 2026 – Images from the DOJ release depict Andrew crouched on all fours over a clothed woman; Starmer urges Andrew to testify before the U.S. House Oversight Committee, stating “anyone with information must share it” and emphasizing victims’ priority [12][5][1].

2 February 2026 – Prime Minister Keir Starmer says Andrew “is unlikely to volunteer testimony” after his 2019 interview, warning that any compelled interview would be “very, very hostile” [22].

3 February 2026 – Lawyer Brad Edwards announces a second woman, trafficked by Epstein, alleges a 2010 sexual encounter with Andrew at Royal Lodge, while Starmer again calls for congressional testimony [15][17].

4 February 2026 – Andrew leaves Royal Lodge and moves under cover of darkness to Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate, a relocation accelerated by the latest DOJ document drop [2][10][21].

5 February 2026 – Andrew takes up temporary residence at Wood Farm Cottage while a permanent Sandringham home is renovated, with Thames Valley Police assessing 2010 sexual‑purpose reports [21].

19 February 2026 – Starmer reiterates “everybody is equal under the law and nobody is above the law,” while Thames Valley Police launch inquiries into possible misconduct in public office and Metropolitan Police open “initial enquiries” into protection‑officer conduct linked to Andrew [1].