The correspondence suggests that two royal protection officers from Metropolitan Police were directed by Epstein’s staff to guard the entrance of his Manhattan townhouse during a December 2010 dinner held in honour of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Guests at the event included film director Woody Allen and other prominent figures from media and entertainment.
The suggestion that Metropolitan Police officers may have effectively acted as door security at the home of a convicted sex offender is likely to prove deeply uncomfortable for Britain’s largest police force. The Met has faced longstanding criticism over its handling of matters connected to Epstein and his associates.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who previously served as the UK’s trade envoy, has denied wrongdoing in relation to Epstein. He told BBC Newsnight in 2019 that his 2010 visit to New York was intended to sever ties with the financier. Photographs taken during the trip showed the pair walking together in Central Park.
Emails released as part of the latest document disclosure indicate that Epstein personally offered accommodation to Andrew’s protection officers at his East 71st Street residence. One message, sent on the eve of the dinner, referenced “The Duke’s 2 protection officers along with state security” and noted that instructions had been given regarding door supervision. The subject line read: “Security for party.”
The dinner reportedly took place four days into Andrew’s stay in New York. Attendees are said to have included Soon-Yi Previn, Katie Couric, George Stephanopoulos, Chelsea Handler and Charlie Rose. Sir Mick Jagger was also reportedly invited but did not attend.
The Manhattan property, known as the Herbert N. Straus House, has previously been cited in legal proceedings relating to sexual offences allegedly committed by Epstein over a number of years.
Separately, the Met confirmed it is contacting Andrew’s former protection officers to determine whether they witnessed anything that could assist ongoing reviews. A spokesperson said officers had been asked to consider carefully whether anything they saw or heard during overseas trips might be relevant.
The developments follow further scrutiny of Andrew’s past association with Epstein and renewed political pressure for greater transparency. Former prime minister Gordon Brown has reportedly written to police forces with additional information drawn from the Epstein files.
As parliamentary business resumes, MPs are expected to consider whether further scrutiny is required regarding Andrew’s former role as a trade envoy and his links to Epstein, subject to legal constraints while police inquiries remain active.
