All the royals who have been named in the Epstein files – and what it means

The long-anticipated release of the latest trove of documents connected to Jeffrey Epstein has finally landed — and as expected, it has reignited public debate rather than bringing closure.

After months of speculation and sustained pressure from lawmakers, journalists, and victims’ advocates, the U.S. Department of Justice released more than 3.5 million records under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, passed in November. The materials include emails, text messages, photos, videos, and internal correspondence spanning years of Epstein’s contacts and activities.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said on January 30 that the disclosure followed “a very comprehensive document identification and review process” aimed at complying with the law and ensuring transparency.

LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 16: Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York attend the funeral of Katharine, Duchess of Kent at Westminster Cathedral on September 16, 2025 in London, England. Katharine, Duchess of Kent was married to Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, the first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. She died on September 4 at the age of 92 at Kensington Palace surrounded by her family. Having converted to Catholicism in 1994, her funeral takes place at Westminster Cathedral and is the first Catholic funeral to be held for a member of the royal family in modern British history. Her Royal Highness will be laid to rest at the Royal Burial Ground at Frogmore, Windsor. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)

That said, officials were careful to emphasize a crucial point: a name appearing in the files does not, by itself, establish wrongdoing. Many individuals are mentioned simply because they were referenced by others or appeared in correspondence without any proven connection to criminal behavior.

Even so, the sheer scope of the documents has drawn renewed attention to a wide range of high-profile figures — particularly within royal and political circles.

One of the most frequently cited names is Prince Andrew. His association with Epstein has been scrutinized for years, largely due to allegations made by Virginia Giuffre, who accused Andrew of sexually assaulting her when she was a minor. Giuffre, who died by suicide in April 2025, settled her civil lawsuit with Andrew in 2022. He has consistently denied the allegations.

Even so, the sheer scope of the documents has drawn renewed attention to a wide range of high-profile figures — particularly within royal and political circles.

The newly released files reportedly reference Andrew hundreds of times. Among the material is an image that has drawn particular attention, as well as email exchanges allegedly involving a sender identified as “HRH The Duke of York.” In one message, the sender discusses meeting a “beautiful” Russian woman, and in another, Epstein is invited to Buckingham Palace in 2010 — two years after Epstein’s conviction for soliciting a minor.

Andrew’s former wife, Sarah Ferguson, also appears repeatedly in the documents. Ferguson has previously acknowledged exchanging emails with Epstein after claiming she cut ties with him, explaining that she feared legal retaliation if she publicly criticized him. She accepted £15,000 from Epstein in the past — a decision she later said she deeply regretted.

In a 2025 statement, Ferguson’s spokesperson reiterated that she had been misled by Epstein and severed contact once she understood the seriousness of the allegations, adding that her later emails were sent on legal advice to de-escalate threats of defamation action.