Epstein Files: Email From Balmoral Asks Maxwell for 'Inappropriate Friends', Deepening Scrutiny of Andrew

A royal castle, a coded alias, and a request for "inappropriate friends." A newly released tranche of Jeffrey Epstein files is intensifying scrutiny on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. An email published Tuesday, reportedly sent from Balmoral Castle by an individual named "A", asked Ghislaine Maxwell for new contacts, raising further questions about the former prince's associations.

A Request from 'The Invisible Man'

The message in question, sent to Maxwell on August 16, 2001, began, "I am up here at Balmoral Summer Camp for the Royal Family." According to PA Media, the sender later asks, "How's LA? Have you found me some new inappropriate friends?" The email, titled "The Invisible Man," was sent from the address "[email protected]." In a reply on the same day, Maxwell wrote, "So sorry to dissapoint [sic] you, however the truth must be told. I have only been able to find appropriate friends." While the emails don't indicate wrongdoing, their origin and content are drawing significant attention.

Connecting the Dots to the Duke

The connection to Andrew appears to be strengthened by another email address. A previously released image of Epstein's phone book showed the address "[email protected]" listed under "Duke of York." Newly published exchanges from February 2002 show "The Invisible Man" alias attached to both email addresses while discussing a trip to Peru. In a reply sent from the "[email protected]" address, the sender comments, "As for girls well I leave that entirely to you and Juan Estoban!" In a separate email in March 2002, Maxwell forwarded a note to this address stating, "I just gave Andrew your telephone no [sic]" and referenced arranging "some 2 legged sight seeing (read intelligent pretty fun and from good families)."

Ongoing Investigation and Broader Context

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) is releasing the documents as part of two criminal investigations into Epstein. Among the files is a formal request from April 2020 for British assistance to interview Andrew, noting he may have been a "witness to and/or participant in" relevant events but clarifying he was not a "target" of the investigation. Andrew has previously denied all wrongdoing. The latest release also includes references to former President Donald Trump, though the DOJ has cautioned that some files contain "untrue and sensationalist claims" against him.