Prince Andrew told Epstein 'we'll play some more' days after publication of infamous Virginia Giuffre photo

A new email has revealed that Prince Andrew contacted Epstein on February 28, 2011 to express his concern for the disgraced financier following the publication of the photo by the Mail on Sunday.

The photo shows Andrew with his arm around 17-year-old Ms Giuffre.

Read more: Jeffrey Epstein met Tony Blair in Downing Street

Read more: Ghislaine Maxwell to stay behind bars as US Supreme Court rejects appeal by Jeffrey Epstein's ex

In 2019, the Duke of York said in a car crash interview that he cut ties with Epstein in December 2010 after the latter’s child prostitution prosecution and prison sentence.

However, the new email - revealed by the Daily Mail - shows that he had in fact been in touch with him just months later.

Andrew wrote to Mr Epstein: "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.

"Otherwise keep in close touch and we'll play some more soon!!!!'

He signed the email off with: "A, HRH The Duke of York, KG". The Daily Mail has verified that the email was sent by Andrew's email address.

The email was initially referred to in a case brought by the Financial Conduct Authority against Jes Staley, Epstein's banker. 

The legal documents that mentioned the email only said it had been sent by "a member of the British Royal Family" without naming the Duke.

A separate email sent on February 27, 2011, shows Epstein attempting to arrange a meeting between Andrew and former Barclays boss Staley.

He wrote: "Jes staley will be in London on next tue afternoon, if you have time."

Andrew responded: "Jes is coming on 1st March or next week?"

Epstein was found dead in his cell at a federal jail in Manhattan in August 2019 while he awaited trial on sex-trafficking charges.

The death was ruled a suicide.