New Ghislaine Maxwell Email Pulls the Curtain on Andrew's Biggest Lie to Date

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on day 3 of the Royal Windsor Horse Show; (Inset) Ghislaine Maxwell attends day 1 of the 4th Annual WIE Symposium. Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Max Mumby/Indigo; (Inset) Laura Cavanaugh

Feb. 05 2026, Published 07:00 AM. ET

Trigger Warning: This article contains themes of child sexual abuse and suicide that some readers may find distressing.

Despite the mounting evidence against him, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has always vehemently denied any wrongdoing in connection with Jeffrey Epstein. One of his most prominent accusers was Virginia Giuffre, who alleged that he had indecent relations with her while she was underage, citing a photo of him with his arm around her as proof. While the former Prince has long insisted the image was doctored, a leaked email from Ghislaine Maxwell corroborates Giuffre's account, catching Mountbatten-Windsor in a red-faced lie.

Prince Andrew with then-17-year-old Virginia Giuffre. (Image Source: U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals) — Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor with his arms around then-17-year-old Virginia Giuffre. (Image Source: US Second Circuit Court of Appeals)

Maxwell's admission, unearthed by the Daily Mail, proved that the photo of Mountbatten-Windsor with Giuffre was real. She had originally drafted the email to pushback against the allegations of abuse, which she then sent to Epstein for approval. In it, she 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 [Giuffre] wanted to show it to friends and family. I never asked (redacted) to give him a massage." In the body of the email, she stressed, "I am stating for the record as fact" before adding, "Prince Andrew came to my house to visit me - (redacted) was in the house and they did meet."

An email from Ghislaine Maxwell to Jeffrey Epstein where she speaks of Andrew. — An email from Ghislaine Maxwell to Jeffrey Epstein where she speaks of then-Prince Andrew. (Image Source: US Department of Justice)

Maxwell claimed she had 'no knowledge' of Giuffre 'having sexual activity' with Mountbatten-Windsor or any other 'famous people.' Epstein appeared to push back in a reply, saying the statement left "too many unanswered questions." He penned, "Her and Andrew?... what's the deal here? Why is she there?" The disgraced socialite responded by stressing urgency, insisting she needed the statement 'ASAP' and saying she had been advised to state, "I was not aware of the massage w/andrew in my house." Seeking to discredit Giuffre, who died by suicide at age 41 last year, Maxwell also mentioned in her statement, "The salacious claims she makes are untrue and made purely for financial gain."

Then-Prince Andrew in a 2019 BBC 'Newsnight' interview, conducted by Emily Maitlis. (Image Source: YouTube | BBC News)

In the past, Mountbatten-Windsor vehemently denied Guiffre's alarming allegations, going so far as to claim that he had no recollection of ever meeting her. In his disastrous 2019 BBC Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis, he stated that he could not have been with Guiffre the day the photo was taken, as he was at a Pizza Express party. He said, "I was with the children, and I'd taken Beatrice to a Pizza Express in Woking for a party at I suppose four or five in the afternoon. And then because the Duchess [Sarah Ferguson] was away..." Instead, the former Prince alleged that the photo was tampered with, possibly for financial gain. He said, "Nobody can prove whether or not that photograph has been doctored… because it is a photograph of a photograph of a photograph."

If you know of any children who are being subjected to abuse, please contact The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at (800) 422-4453

If you are having thoughts about taking your own life, or know of anyone who is, please contact The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)