The China Mail - What we know about ex-prince Andrew's friendship with Epstein

His arrest on Thursday for alleged misconduct while in public office is the latest blow to the disgraced royal.

Here is what we know so far about the links between the late financier who died in a US jail in 2019, and the ex-prince who has enjoyed a life of luxury and privilege.

- Sharing information -

The arrest follows the release of more files in January that appeared to show Andrew sent Epstein potentially confidential documents during the his decade as a UK trade envoy.

In a November 2010 email, Andrew appeared to share with Epstein reports on several Asian countries following an official visit to the region.

The ex-royal, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, also reportedly sent the American financier details of the trip -- on which he was accompanied by Epstein's business associates -- along with investment opportunities months later.

At least nine separate UK police forces have confirmed they are assessing reports which appear to link the former prince to Epstein.

- 'Nobody's Girl' -

In August 2021 Virginia Giuffre filed a lawsuit against Andrew, alleging he sexually assaulted her three times, including twice when she was 17, when she was allegedly trafficked by Epstein.

In her memoir "Nobody's Girl" published last year, Giuffre said she was forced to have sex with Andrew on three separate occasions, having been trafficked by Epstein.

On the first occasion in March 2001, the then 41-year-old Andrew had sex with her at the London mews house of Epstein's girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell.

The second encounter was the following month at Epstein's New York townhouse.

The last time was on Epstein's private island as part of what she described as an "orgy" with Andrew, Epstein and around eight other girls who "all appeared to be under the age of 18 and didn't really speak English".

A letter filed to a US court in February 2022, jointly by Giuffre and Andrew's lawyers, revealed they had reached an out-of-court settlement to end her civil case against him.

Andrew -- who made no admission of liability -- agreed to pay her an undisclosed sum. The amount has not been revealed, but was reportedly more than $12 million (nine million pounds).

Giuffre died by suicide in April last year, aged 41, in Australia where she lived with her husband and three children.

- Friendship with Epstein -

Andrew reportedly first met Epstein in 1999 through Maxwell.

In 2008, Epstein was convicted in the United States of procuring a minor for prostitution and handed an 18-month jail sentence.

Despite this, the two men were photographed in 2010 walking through Central Park in New York together.

Andrew claimed this was the end of their friendship.

But an email to Epstein in February 2011 "from a member of the British royal family" believed to be Andrew said: "Keep in close touch and we'll play some more soon !!!!", according to UK court documents revealed earlier this year.

Epstein died by suicide in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on charges of trafficking underage girls for sex.

- 'No recollection' -

Andrew stood down as a UK trade envoy in 2011 over his contentious ties with Epstein.

In 2019 after a disastrous TV interview, he withdrew from public duties and gave up his HRH (His Royal Highness) title after denying in the interview that he had sex with Giuffre.

He added that he had no recollection "at all" of ever meeting her.

His mother Queen Elizabeth II in January 2022 stripped him of his military titles and royal patronages after he lost his attempt to quash the civil suit filed by Giuffre in 2021.

On October 17, Andrew agreed to give up his Duke of York title under pressure from Charles, saying he would not use it.

His ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, who borrowed money from Epstein, will also no longer be known as the Duchess of York.

In October, King Charles III stripped his younger brother of all his titles and ousted him from the Royal Lodge, on the Windsor estate.

H.Au--ThChM