Afua Hagan: The Epstein email makes Prince Andrew’s title impossible to defend

CTV royal commentator Afua Hagan discusses a new posthumous memoir from Jeffrey Epstein’s accuser, and how it may impact Prince Andrew and the Royal Family

In 2010, a photo of Prince Andrew with his arm around Virginia Giuffre appeared and caused a stir at Buckingham Palace. Over 10 years later, fresh evidence about the Duke of York’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein put him back in the spotlight. An email sent to Epstein contained a striking line: “We are in this together.”

The leaked email, which was published in the Mail on Sunday and the Sun on Sunday in the U.K., and was sent after the photo came out, appears to blow wide open Prince Andrew’s defence that he and Epstein were no longer friends.

The email appears to show Andrew actually wrote to Epstein three months after he claimed he had cut all ties with him. The message to Epstein reads: “I’m just as concerned for you! Don’t worry about me! It would seem we are in this together and will have to rise above it,” before suggesting they would “play some more soon!!!!”.

This email, dated Feb. 28, 2011, appears to show a different story from what Andrew claimed in his 2019 BBC Newsnight interview. He had told Emily Maitlis: “I left, I think it was the next day and to this day I never had any contact with him from that day forward.” The email surfaced three months after his claimed final meeting with Epstein in New York during Dec. 2010, when he supposedly ended their friendship.

The familiar tone of “We are in this together” stands in stark contrast to Andrew’s efforts to minimize their connection. The email signs off with Andrew’s full title — “A, HRH The Duke of York, KG” — which added royal authority to this concerning exchange.

Andrew had claimed for a long time that he cut ties with Epstein and played no part in his crimes. The message instead raises questions about complicity and loyalty and shows poor judgment when he should have been working to separate himself from the disgraced financier.

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The British public, tired of the ongoing scandal, now finds itself grappling with renewed anger. A lot of people believe Andrew has faced no real consequences, shielded by his status and the Royal Family’s silence. The Duke of York lost his HRH title and military patronages but remains a Knight of the Garter.

A YouGov poll released in August shows 67 per cent of people want him stripped of all his remaining titles. In York where he remains Duke, local politicians and activists continue to call on King Charles to take away his title. They argue that the city should not carry the burden of being tied to someone whose image is damaged.

Does Andrew deserve to remain a Duke?

The issue isn’t whether Andrew can go back to public life. Any hopes of that disappeared a long time ago. The real issue is why he still holds the title Duke of York, which represents honour, duty, and royal service. Every time people link his name to Epstein, the harm spreads further than just hurting Andrew. It weakens the monarchy’s image of moral integrity.

A Royal Family aiming to modernize finds it harder to justify this contradiction. King Charles talks about creating a “slimmed-down monarchy” that aligns better with Britain’s modern values. However, cutting back isn’t just about reducing members. It’s also tied to trust. Keeping Andrew as a duke suggests the Royal Family handles accountability by its own separate rules.

King Charles has stepped up his push to keep Prince Andrew away from the spotlight as the Epstein scandal grows. The monarch didn’t invite the Duke of York and Sarah Ferguson to the Royal Family’s Christmas celebrations at Sandringham this year. People close to the King say he wants them to stay out of public view after their recent appearances caused concern.

“You can’t sack someone from being your brother,” a source close to the King told The Times newspaper in September. “But this year, if the duke and duchess were both to be as honourable [as last year], it would be very much for the best.”

Charles wants them to use private entrances and exits at any events they need to attend. Prince William’s response has been even stronger. British Royals expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital that William is “enraged” and “actively lobbying to ensure Andrew is ‘completely excluded’ from all family activities”. The Prince of Wales plans to strip Andrew of his remaining titles once he becomes king.

Staying silent doesn’t work anymore

Publicly, the palace has stuck with its age-old mantra, “never complain, never explain.” It seems the monarchy prefers small behind-the-scenes changes instead of direct action. But staying silent here could come across as moral weakness. People expect answers, and they have a right to them. When scandals hit other organizations, their leaders take strong action. By contrast, Buckingham Palace hides behind its walls, giving the impression of dodging responsibility. This does not match the principles of a modern democracy.

The monarchy’s silence about Andrew’s titles and privileges also works against the King’s plans to reform. How can it portray values like service, honesty, and openness while it shields someone whose actions remain so examined?

An important challenge for King Charles

This will test King Charles’s ability to lead and show how far he will act to protect the monarchy’s future. The King calls himself a reformer. He pays close attention to public views and knows how important legitimacy is in today’s world. Yet Prince Andrew keeping his title creates a shadow over his older brother’s time as King.

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The monarchy has lasted for centuries because it adapts to change. Adapting today though, means showing strong morals. Taking away the Duke of York’s title is not cruel or unfaithful. It is a needed move to show accountability and a sign that the monarchy recognizes why the public lacks trust.

A past that won’t stay buried

Prince Andrew’s email, “we are in this together,” was meant for Jeffrey Epstein. But its echo has travelled far beyond that private exchange. It now binds Andrew to a scandal that has defined his life and tarnished his family’s reputation. And unless decisive action is taken, it will continue to tether the monarchy itself to one of the darkest chapters in its modern history.

If King Charles wants to build a future-facing, credible institution — one that commands respect, not just deference — he must finally confront the painful truth: some ties, no matter how royal, must be broken for the Crown to endure.

More from Afua Hagan:

• Prince Andrew, Sarah Ferguson, and the shadow of Epstein: Can the Yorks ever step back into public life?
• 5 key takeaways from Eugene Levy’s interview with Prince William
• Is the Royal Family now ready for Harry’s return?