• An email from Ghislaine Maxwell confirms the authenticity of a controversial photo of Prince Andrew and Virginia Giuffre.
• The email indicates that the photo was taken in 2001 during a gathering in London.
• Giuffre's family claims the email vindicates her allegations against Andrew.
• Prince Andrew has consistently denied the allegations and has questioned the photo's authenticity.
• The email was part of newly released documents from the US Department of Justice related to Jeffrey Epstein.

Newly released emails from Ghislaine Maxwell appear to confirm the authenticity of a controversial photograph showing Prince Andrew with his arm around Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexual abuse. The email, marked "draft statement" and sent to Jeffrey Epstein in 2015, refers to an encounter that took place in 2001 in London, during which the photograph was taken, according to multiple outlets including BBC, AA, and India Times.

In the message, Maxwell indicated that Giuffre had met a number of friends, including Prince Andrew, during her visit to London. The email includes a statement from Maxwell asserting that "nothing improper" occurred and emphasizes that she had "no knowledge of the woman having sexual activity" with Andrew, as reported by BBC and AA.

Giuffre's family has expressed relief over the email's release, suggesting it vindicates her long-standing allegations against Andrew. Sky Roberts, Giuffre's brother, stated to BBC that the email validates his sister's claims, adding, "It truly does vindicate Virginia... she was not lying this entire time," according to AA and India Times.

In previous interviews, such as his widely publicized 2019 discussion with BBC Newsnight, Andrew denied any meeting with Giuffre, stating, "I have absolutely no memory of that photograph ever being taken," and questioning its authenticity, as noted by BBC and India Times.

This release comes as part of a broader publication of documents by the US Department of Justice concerning Epstein, including emails that highlight Andrew's continued association with Epstein even after Epstein's 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor. The latest findings have raised questions about Andrew's accountability and the royal family's handling of the situation, per AA and India Times.