After months of speculation and mounting public pressure, the U.S. Department of Justice released millions of records tied to Epstein under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which was passed in November. The disclosure includes more than 3.5 million emails, text messages, photographs, videos, and other materials now available for public review.
“This release concludes an extensive identification and vetting process designed to ensure transparency and accountability,” Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said during a press briefing on January 30.
Prince Andrew and the Epstein allegations
One of the most frequently mentioned individuals in the files is Prince Andrew, formerly known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. His association with Epstein has been publicly scrutinized for years, and the latest document release adds further context to that scrutiny.
Virginia Giuffre previously accused Prince Andrew of sexually assaulting her on three occasions while she was underage. Giuffre, who died by suicide in April 2025, reached a financial settlement with Andrew in 2022, which resulted in the dismissal of her civil lawsuit.
Following the publication of her memoir detailing the alleged abuse, Prince Andrew was stripped of his remaining royal titles, including “Prince” and “Duke of York.” He was also instructed to vacate Royal Lodge, the Windsor residence he had shared with his former wife, Sarah Ferguson, since 2004.
In the newly released files, Andrew’s name appears hundreds of times. Among the materials drawing attention is a photograph allegedly showing him kneeling over an unidentified woman. Additionally, email exchanges attributed to someone signing as “HRH The Duke of York” include references to meeting a “beautiful” Russian woman and extending an invitation to Epstein to visit Buckingham Palace in 2010—two years after Epstein’s conviction for soliciting a minor.
Sarah Ferguson’s past communications
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, has also been named in connection with Epstein in past reporting, and her name appears again in the latest release.
Ferguson previously stated that she continued polite email communication with Epstein after ending contact with him, claiming she feared legal action if she spoke out publicly. In 2011, she told the Evening Standard that she “abhors paedophilia and any abuse of children,” while also apologizing for accepting £15,000 from Epstein.
A statement released by her spokesperson in 2025 emphasized that Ferguson had been misled by Epstein and cut ties once she became aware of the full scope of allegations. The statement added that Epstein later threatened legal action after she condemned him publicly.
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie
The Epstein files also reference Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, though they were minors during the period when Epstein committed his crimes.