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New DOJ Epstein Files Intensify Scrutiny of Prince Andrew, Sarah Ferguson, and Peter Mandelson

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  • Crown Princess Mette-Marit said she regretted having any contact with Epstein at all
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  • The former prince, Andrew, left, has been criticised for his association with Jeffrey Epstein
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  • Sarah Ferguson and Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, attending the Easter Sunday Mattins Service at St George’s Chapel on April 20, 2025 in Windsor, England.
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  • Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has always denied any wrongdoing
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  • Crown Princess Mette-Marit said she regretted having any contact with Epstein at all
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  • Epstein in an image released in December by the US Department of Justice
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  • Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson face embarrassment from the latest emails
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  • The former prince, Andrew, left, has been criticised for his association with Jeffrey Epstein
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    The former prince, Andrew, left, has been criticised for his association with Jeffrey Epstein (News Syndication) Source Full size
  • Sarah Ferguson and Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, attending the Easter Sunday Mattins Service at St George’s Chapel on April 20, 2025 in Windsor, England.
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  • Former Prince Andrew, seen with King Charles III, at the Requiem Mass for Katharine, Duchess of Kent, at Westminster Cathedral on September 16, 2025 in London.
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  • In the latest Epstein files are famous names and new details about an earlier investigation
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DOJ releases unprecedented 3 million‑plus page Epstein trove On 31 January 2026 the U.S. Justice Department posted more than three million pages, 180 000 images and 2 000 videos, fulfilling the Epstein Files Transparency Act deadline and making the material publicly searchable [1][2][8][10][15]. The cache contains prison records, a psychological report on Epstein, and investigative files on Ghislaine Maxwell, expanding the documentary record of the case [2][8]. Police in London confirmed receipt of multiple misconduct reports and will assess criminal thresholds [1].

Prince Andrew’s 2010 emails and compromising photographs surface Emails dated August 2010 show Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor arranging a dinner at Buckingham Palace and expressing enthusiasm to meet a “beautiful, trustworthy” 26‑year‑old Russian woman [1][9][12][13][14][16]. Undated photos released with the files depict the former duke on all fours, kneeling over a partially redacted woman, barefoot in jeans and a polo shirt [1][9][12][15]. The images lack captions, and no context has been provided by officials [12][15].

Sarah Ferguson’s affectionate messages and Mandelson’s financial links uncovered Correspondence from 2009‑2011 reveals the Duchess of York thanking Epstein as a “brother I have always wished for,” requesting a £20 000 rent payment and later receiving a $150 000 wire [1][2][9][14]. A 2009 tax memo drafted for Gordon Brown was sent to Epstein, and bank statements show three $25 000 (or $10 000 £) transfers to Peter Mandelson’s partner, alongside a $13 000 loan later reduced to $4 000 [1][2][4][5][9]. Mandelson resigned from the Labour Party, apologized to victims, and faces a possible peerage removal [1][4][5][9].

British and U.S. officials pressure Andrew to testify, Mandelson’s status reviewed Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer publicly urged Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor to appear before the U.S. House Oversight Committee and called for Peter Mandelson’s urgent peerage review [1][9][12][13][14]. Legal scholars warn that any interview would be “very hostile,” and Andrew’s lawyers expect a Fifth‑Amendment claim if compelled [3][13]. London’s Metropolitan Police will examine the new reports, while Downing Street confirms an urgent review of Mandelson’s Lords position [1].

International fallout spreads to other royals and officials The files also name Norway’s Crown Princess Mette‑Marit in nearly 1 000 emails (including a 2013 Palm Beach stay) and Sweden’s Princess Sofia, prompting Norway’s prime minister to back a public apology [4][6]. Slovak national‑security adviser Miroslav Lajčák resigned after a 2018 dinner invitation from Epstein was revealed [4][8][10].

Sources

Timeline

July 2006 – The FBI opens a federal probe into Jeffrey Epstein, marking the first official investigation into his alleged sexual‑abuse network and later drafts an indictment in May 2007 [17].

May 2007 – The FBI prepares an indictment after receiving reports that under‑age girls received paid massages, listing three assistants as potential co‑defendants [17].

2008 – Epstein pleads guilty to soliciting a minor, serves a 13‑month sentence and completes it in July 2010, a conviction that later underpins the DOJ’s transparency mandate [1].

July 2010 – Epstein finishes his 2008 sentence and is released from home detention, after which he resumes contacting high‑profile individuals [6].

Aug 11‑12 2010 – Epstein emails “The Duke” (identified as Prince Andrew) proposing a dinner with a “26‑year‑old Russian woman”; the duke replies he will be “delighted to see her” and arranges a private meeting at Buckingham Palace [6].

Dec 2000 – Prince Andrew hosts Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at Sandringham during a Christmas‑week gathering, later captured in a photo released in the 2025 Epstein files [14].

2002 – Maxwell discusses a Peru trip involving “girls” and references Prince Andrew’s official duties in Peru, illustrating early international networking for Epstein [7].

Feb 2011 – Prince Andrew emails Epstein “This week is all about me,” thanking him for helping with a problem for his ex‑wife and announcing an “annual retreat,” contradicting his later claim of cutting off contact [5].

2012‑13 – Elon Musk chats with Epstein about possible trips to the island, later denying any visit and posting on X in 2025 that he “REFUSED” Epstein’s invitation [1].

2013 – Richard Branson invites Epstein to his private Caribbean island, joking “as long as you bring your harem!” and suggests Bill Gates vouch for Epstein [16].

Oct 2025 – King Charles III strips Prince Andrew of his princely style, titles and honours, renames him Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor and orders him to surrender the Royal Lodge lease [14].

Dec 22 2025 – A newly released Epstein file shows a photo of Prince Andrew lying across the laps of five women at Sandringham, with Ghislaine Maxwell smiling, reigniting scrutiny ahead of the royal Christmas [14].

Dec 23 2025 – The DOJ publishes a fresh batch of Epstein documents, noting multiple mentions of Donald Trump, a fake handwritten letter to Larry Nassar, and an Austrian passport bearing Epstein’s photo under a false name [10].

Dec 24 2025 – Additional Epstein files reveal “A” asking Ghislaine Maxwell for “inappropriate friends,” detail a 2002 Peru trip, and show a photo of Prince Andrew at Sandringham, prompting renewed calls for his testimony and scrutiny of Crown Estate leases [7].

Jan 30 2026 – The U.S. Department of Justice releases over three million pages, 180 000 images and 2 000 videos of Epstein‑related material, fulfilling the Epstein Files Transparency Act deadline and exposing prison records, the Maxwell investigation and emails linking the Duke of York to Epstein [1].

Jan 30 2026 – The DOJ’s release includes the August 2010 email chain where Epstein invites Prince Andrew to dinner with a Russian woman, confirming the duke’s willingness to meet despite travel plans [6].

Jan 31 2026 – Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer urges Prince Andrew to testify before the U.S. Congress, stating “anyone with information about Jeffrey Epstein should be prepared to share it” and emphasizing victims as the priority [4].

Jan 31 2026 – The DOJ’s tranche contains photos of Prince Andrew on all fours over a clothed woman and images of him kneeling over a partially redacted woman, sparking media requests for comment [13].

Jan 31 2026 – A BBC‑reported survivor alleges a 2010 sexual encounter with Prince Andrew at Royal Lodge, describing a night followed by a Buckingham Palace tour, marking the first claim of abuse inside a royal residence [3].

Jan 31 2026 – U.S. House Judiciary Democrats request immediate full access to the Epstein files, labeling the need “urgent” ahead of a hearing with Attorney General Pam Bondi [4].

Jan 31 2026 – The DOJ’s documents show Elon Musk discussing “the wildest party” on Epstein’s island in 2012‑13, while Steve Bannon’s 2018‑19 texts reveal plans for a documentary and PR push [1].

Jan 31 2026 – The files reveal Epstein wired £10 000 to Peter Mandelson’s partner in 2009 and three $25 000 payments to Mandelson between 2003‑04, leading to Mandelson’s resignation from the Labour Party [4].

Jan 31 2026 – The release exposes Sarah Ferguson’s affectionate messages to Epstein from 2009‑11, calling him “my dear spectacular and special friend Jeffrey” and a “legend” [1].

Jan 31 2026 – A 2010 email shows Epstein offering a private dinner at Buckingham Palace with “lots of privacy,” and Prince Andrew replies he is “delighted to see her” [9].

Jan 31 2026 – The DOJ’s documents reveal that in 2020 the U.S. Justice Department pressed Prince Andrew’s lawyers for an interview, but the request stalls amid the pandemic [5].

Feb 1 2026 – Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre backs Crown Princess Mette‑Marit’s apology, noting her “poor judgement” in maintaining contacts with Epstein between 2011‑14, including a four‑day stay at his Palm Beach home in Jan 2013 [2].

Feb 1 2026 – A Florida lawyer alleges a second woman was sent by Epstein to spend a night with Prince Andrew at Royal Lodge in 2010, adding to prior accusations and noting Andrew’s titles were stripped in Oct 2025 [12].

Feb 1 2026 – The DOJ’s new release highlights high‑profile men linked to Epstein, listing Elon Musk, Richard Branson, Donald Trump, Bill Clinton and others, while noting no charges have been filed against them [16].

Feb 2 2026 – The DOJ’s latest batch intensifies scrutiny of Prince Andrew, Sarah Ferguson and Peter Mandelson, prompting Prime Minister Starmer to call for Andrew’s congressional testimony and Mandelson’s resignation from the House of Lords [8].

Feb 2 2026 – Legal scholars warn Andrew’s 2019 BBC interview makes voluntary testimony “very, very hostile,” and his lawyers expect him to invoke the Fifth Amendment, reducing the likelihood of cooperation [15].

Feb 2 2026 – The DOJ’s disclosure identifies over 5 000 mentions of Peter Mandelson, including a 2009 memo to Gordon Brown sent to Epstein and loans to his partner, fueling calls to strip him of his peerage [8].

Feb 2 2026 – The files list Norway’s Princess Mette‑Marit in nearly 1 000 emails from 2011‑14, where she calls Epstein “soft‑hearted” and discusses wallpaper ideas, underscoring the royal family’s extensive contacts [11].

Feb 2 2026 – Slovak national‑security adviser Miroslav Lajčák appears in a 2018 text exchange about women with Epstein, leading to his resignation after the files’ release [11].

Feb 3 2026 – The DOJ confirms the massive release marks the end of the review process mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act, having posted the full trove online after missing the Dec 19 deadline [1].

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