Email sent from ‘Balmoral’ seeking ‘inappropriate friends’ emerges in latest Epstein files
An email sent by an individual identified only as “A”, claiming to be at Balmoral and asking Ghislaine Maxwell for “inappropriate friends”, has appeared in the latest batch of Epstein files released by the US Department of Justice.
The message, dated 16 August 2001, was sent to Ghislaine Maxwell and begins: “I am up here at Balmoral Summer Camp for the Royal Family.” Later, the sender asks: “How’s LA? Have you found me some new inappropriate friends?” before signing off: “See ya A xxx.”
Balmoral Castle is a private royal residence in Scotland.
The emails do not in themselves indicate wrongdoing. The BBC has contacted representatives for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who has previously denied all allegations of misconduct. He has also said that he did not see, witness, or suspect any behaviour by Jeffrey Epstein that later led to the financier’s arrest and conviction.
The email was sent from the address “abx17@dial.pipex.com” under the title “The Invisible Man” and forms part of more than 11,000 documents released on Tuesday. In a reply sent the same day, Maxwell wrote: “So sorry to dissapoint you, however the truth must be told. I have only been able to find appropriate friends.”
A separate email address, “aace@dial.pipex.com”, appears in Epstein’s phone book under a contact labelled “Duke of York”, according to previously released material. Another exchange published on Tuesday links both email addresses to the alias “The Invisible Man”.
That exchange, dated February 2002, discusses a potential trip to Peru. Maxwell forwarded an email outlining plans for a visit to the South American country and asked: “What do you think?”
The forwarded message, from an address labelled “Juanesteban Ganoza”, suggested activities including a small lunch and horse riding. It also included a reference to “the girls”, adding: “How old is he? I doubt it that he will find someone here, but we can try.”
A reply sent via the second email address stated: “As far as food is concerned I am very easy and will fit in with whatever he plans. As for girls, well I leave that entirely to you and Juan Estoban!” The message ended: “Masses of love A xxx.”
In a later exchange from March 2002, Maxwell forwarded another email to the same address, writing: “Thought you would like to see what I sent.” The forwarded note included a message saying: “I just gave Andrew your telephone no. Some sight seeing, some 2 legged sight seeing, read intelligent, pretty, fun and from good families, and he will be very happy.”
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor lost the use of his prince and Duke of York titles in October following renewed scrutiny of his association with Epstein.
Read More: No New Epstein Photos of Prince Andrew in 2025 Files
The documents form part of the so-called Epstein files, released by the United States Department of Justice, relating to two criminal investigations into Epstein during his lifetime. US Congress passed legislation requiring the full release of the files by 19 December, although not all documents have yet been made public.
Andrew has been referenced in earlier releases. Simply appearing in emails, photographs, or documents does not amount to evidence of wrongdoing.
Among the newly published material is a formal request from the DOJ in April 2020 seeking assistance from British authorities to interview Andrew in connection with two investigations, one of which related to Epstein. The document said the investigation had indicated that Andrew “may have been a witness to and or participant in certain events of relevance”, while stressing that he was not a target of the inquiry and that no evidence had been gathered showing he had committed a crime under US law.
The same document outlined areas US investigators wished to explore, including the identities of women Andrew may have met through Epstein or Maxwell and the nature of his relationship with both.
The latest release also contains references to Donald Trump, including a 2020 email from an assistant US attorney suggesting Trump may have travelled on Epstein’s private jet more often than previously reported. Trump has denied ever flying on Epstein’s plane and has denied any wrongdoing. The DOJ has said some of the documents include untrue or sensational claims relating to Trump.
