Virginia Giuffre's family have issued a statement after new information emerged about a photo of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor with his arm around Ms Giuffre.
In an email from more than three million documents released by the US Department of Justice, convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell appears to say she was "stating for the record as fact" that she introduced Andrew to Ms Giuffre and the image was taken at her London home.
The former prince has long disputed the legitimacy of the picture of him in contact with Ms Giuffre when she was 17.
Andrew has previously stated that the image may have been faked during his disastrous Newsnight interview and has always strenuously denied any wrongdoing with his connections to Jeffrey Epstein.
Maxwell claimed the photo of Andrew and Ms Giuffre is real
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Maxwell appeared to be drafting the email in response to allegations against her.
She allegedly wrote: "In 2001 I was in London when [redacted] met a number of friends of mine including Prince Andrew. A photograph was taken as I imagine she wanted to show it to friends and family."
The uncovering of the document has been described as a "vindicating moment for Virginia" by Ms Giuffre's brother, Sky Roberts.
He told the BBC how the family were "really proud of our sister", adding: "It truly does vindicate Virginia."
Ms Giuffre's family said the claim 'truly does vindicate Virginia'
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Her sister, Amanda, said: "I've felt like a moment of such overwhelming emotion because I wish she was here to see this, she fought so hard and so long and she was still so strong."
Elsewhere in the email from Maxwell, she appears to write: "Prince Andrew came to my house to visit me - [redacted] was in the house and they did meet."
She allegedly claimed having "no knowledge" of Ms Giuffre "having sexual activity" with Andrew or any other "famous people".
Epstein appeared to respond, saying her statement left "too many unanswered questions".
The alleged email from Maxwell claimed that the photo between Andrew and Ms Giuffre happened | USDEPARTMENTOFJUSTICEThe paedophile allegedly added: "Her and andrew?...whats the deal here? why is she there."
The convicted sex trafficker appeared to continue: "The allegations made against me by [redacted] are lies. I have consistently stated that they are untrue and I have waited for an opportunity to prove this in a court of law."
She allegedly tried to discredit Ms Giuffre, with Maxwell stating: "The salacious claims she makes are untrue and made purely for financial gain.
"The relentless media harassment to which I, Alan Dershowitz and Prince Andrew have been subjected to over the last week has become intolerable and breaches any justifiable sense of natural justice."
Maxwell appeared to write: 'A photograph was taken as I imagine she wanted to show it to friends and family'
| GETTYMaxwell appeared to conclude the statement with: "Finally [redacted] claims she was a sex slave for the rich and famous, however the reality is that working as a waitress in a burger bar."
Ms Giuffre said that Epstein took the photograph with a disposable camera before the group went to dinner and later to Tramp nightclub.
She claimed that she was forced to have sex with Andrew that night at Maxwell's house, which the former duke denies.
Ms Giuffre took her own life on April 25, 2025, at the age of 41.
GB News has contacted Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor for comment.
Anyone who is in emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide can call the Samaritans anonymously for free from a UK phone on 116 123 or go to samaritans.org.
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