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Prince Andrew has faced another "hammer blow" to his reputation after a new scandal surrounding his past friendship with the late convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. While The Duke of York, 65, claimed in his BBC Newsnight interview in 2019 that he ceased contact with Epstein in December 2010, a new email sent on February 28, 2011, shows this to be a lie.

In the 2011 email, which was sent a day after a photo of Andrew and Virginia Giuffre - who accused the duke of sexual assault - was shared, Andrew tells Epstein "we are in this together". Andrew has always denied the claims made by Giuffre, who died earlier this year.

In the email, which has been seen by The Sun, the prince tells 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."

The Sun reports that the prince also reportedly wrote to Epstein "keep in close touch" and "we'll play some more soon!!!!"

The message was sent from Andrew's official email address.

While the duke has yet to address this, this new revelation is set to be a "hammer blow" to his already damaged reputation, which has faced various hits over the years as a result of scandals and has seen him step back from royal duties.

Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk about this latest scandal, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams said: "Andrew's email to the deceased paedophile Jeffrey Epstein contains a phrase that will haunt him - 'we are in this together'."

He continued: "This was sent a day after the Mail on Sunday published the photograph of him with his arm round Virginia Giuffre, which he has never been able to explain and has claimed could have been faked.

"It is ironic that he emails that he and Epstein could "rise above" press scrutiny. It is another gruesomely ghastly hammer blow to what passes for his reputation.

"It is obvious that the absence of comment about the now infamous photograph indicates it was not a surprise."

Mr Fitzwilliams also said that there is likely to be more revelations to come, which puts the Royal Family in a tricky position.

He said: "The problem is what the Royal Family should actually do. The recent email from Sarah Ferguson, Andrew's devoted ex-wife, to Epstein in which she called him her 'supreme friend' has led numerous charities to cut links with her.

"Further potentially incriminating emails and documents involving both of them may be released in the coming weeks and months. Virginia Giuffre's posthumous memoir is due out soon.

"The Royal Family don't know what they are facing and when since it is perfectly obvious that there is likely to be more to come."

The Duke of York has been contacted for comment.