Newly released documents reveal how Jeffrey Epstein cultivated ties with royal houses across Europe, creating a web of relationships that prosecutors and investigators are now dissecting from Oslo to London.
By Bernd Pulch | Feb. 20, 2026 | berndpulch.org
When British police arrested Prince Andrew at the Sandringham Estate on his 66th birthday this week, it marked a watershed moment in the long-running Epstein scandal. For the first time, a senior royal faced criminal chargesโmisconduct in public officeโdirectly linked to his association with the disgraced financier.
But the Duke of York is not alone. A analysis of the 3.5 million pages of documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice on Jan. 30, combined with court records and investigative files, reveals that Epstein methodically cultivated relationships with multiple European royal families. The connections range from social introductions to intimate personal correspondence, and in some cases, ongoing criminal investigations.
Using a proprietary Royal Proximity Scoreโa weighted index based on the frequency of documented contact, the intimacy of communications, post-conviction association, and the severity of alleged or investigated misconductโthis analysis ranks the royals most deeply entangled in Epstein’s world.
๐บ๏ธ New Investigation: THE EPSTEIN FILES โ Mapping a Global Monarchy Network
The Epstein Files reveal patterns, connections, and networks that span industries, institutions, and borders โ but one of the most striking threads emerging from the analysis is the web of elite and monarchical ties that intersect with documented movements, communications, and affiliations.
Today on BerndPulch.org we publish โTHE EPSTEIN FILES โ Mapping a Global Monarchy Networkโ: a data-anchored exploration of how networks overlap at the highest circles of influence โ visualized, annotated, and rooted in official records.
๐ Read the full article here:
https://berndpulch.org/2026/02/20/the-epstein-files-mapping-a-global-monarchy-network/
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This is just the beginning.
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The Royal Proximity Index
The ranking below scores individuals on a scale of 1 to 100, with 100 representing the highest level of entanglement based on available evidence.
Rank Royal Figure Country Proximity Score Key Evidence
1 Prince Andrew, Duke of York United Kingdom 97 Arrested Feb. 19 on misconduct charges; settled civil sex abuse case for ยฃ12M ($16.3M) in 2022; featured in numerous flight logs, photos, and testimony.
2 Crown Princess Mette-Marit Norway 89 Intimate personal emails with Epstein after his 2008 conviction; stayed at his Palm Beach home in 2013; issued two public apologies.
3 Princess Sofia Sweden 72 Introduced to Epstein in 2005; her photo was sent to him in 2010 as part of an email chain discussing potential meetings.
4 Princess Beatrice & Princess Eugenie United Kingdom 68 Named “hundreds of times” in files; had lunch with Epstein days after his 2009 prison release; flights paid for by Epstein (over $14,000).
5 Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York United Kingdom 65 Long-term intimate correspondence; called Epstein a “legend” in 2010; continued contact after 2011 apology; Epstein facilitated travel for her daughters.
6 King Charles III United Kingdom 35 Issued unprecedented personal statement on Andrew’s arrest (“law must take its course”); under public pressure regarding what he knew and when.
7 Queen Sofia Sweden 20 Peripheral mention in context of introductions; no evidence of direct wrongdoing.
8 Raafat Al-Sabbagh Saudi Arabia 55 Adviser to Crown Prince; exchanged crude texts with Epstein; under scrutiny for business dealings.
9 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum UAE 25 Social introductions; business context; no evidence of misconduct.
10 King Willem-Alexander Netherlands 15 Attended events with Epstein in social context; no documented direct relationship.
Note: Proximity scores are based on the Epstein Index methodology, weighted by document type (legal > financial > personal correspondence > social reference). Updated Feb. 20, 2026.
The Norwegian Bombshell: Crown Princess Mette-Marit
The most detailed new evidence of a royal relationship comes from Norway. Emails released in the Jan. 30 DOJ tranche show Crown Princess Mette-Marit engaged in a warm and personal correspondence with Epstein after his 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor.
In one message, dated October 2011, she told him: “You always make me smile โฆ because you tickle my brain.” In another, she signed off with “sweetheart.” The tone throughout is familiar and affectionate, suggesting a relationship that went far beyond casual acquaintance.
The documents also reveal that she stayed at Epstein’s Palm Beach mansion in January 2013โnearly five years after his conviction. The ostensible reason was a visit to her dentist, which Epstein appears to have facilitated for teeth bleaching. Flight records show she traveled on private aircraft connected to Epstein’s network.
Most damaging, perhaps, is an email where she acknowledges having googled him. She wrote: “it didn’t look good :)” โyet the contact and visits continued regardless.
Following the release of the latest files, the Crown Princess issued a second public apology (her first was in 2019), stating she “deeply regrets” any association and describing her judgment as “naive.” Norwegian prosecutors have not announced charges related to her personally, but the country’s investigation into the Epstein network is aggressive, with former Prime Minister Thorbjรธrn Jagland already charged with “aggravated corruption” in a related matter.
A royal court spokesperson said: “The Crown Princess has answered questions from the media truthfully and transparently. She regrets any connection and has learned from this experience.”
The Princess Daughters: Beatrice and Eugenie
The files show the late Queen Elizabeth II’s granddaughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, were unwittingly drawn into Epstein’s orbit through their mother, Sarah Ferguson.
Emails detail how Ferguson introduced her daughters to Epstein’s circle. Most strikingly, the princesses had lunch with Epstein at a Miami restaurant just five days after his release from prison in July 2009. At the time, Beatrice was 20 and Eugenie was 19. Financial records show Epstein paid over $14,000 for their plane tickets on that trip, with expenses routed through one of his trusts.
One email in the cache contains what analysts describe as an uncomfortable reference to Princess Eugenie’s intimate life. The message, sent by Ferguson to Epstein, reads in part: “Eugenie is so happy with [redacted] โฆ she says he’s the one.” The context suggests Epstein was being kept apprised of personal family matters.
The princesses have never publicly commented on the association. Their office at Buckingham Palace did not respond to multiple requests for comment. A palace source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “The princesses were young adults at the time and trusted their mother’s judgment. They had no knowledge of Epstein’s crimes.”
The Duchess’s Double Life: Sarah Ferguson
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, emerges from the files as a central figure connecting the royal family to Epstein’s world. Her correspondence spans years and reveals a relationship far more intimate than previously acknowledged.
In a December 2010 email, Ferguson called Epstein “a legend,” adding: “I really don’t have the words to describe my love, gratitude for your generosity and kindness. Xx I am at your service. Just marry me.”
The flirtatious tone is consistent across multiple messages. In another, she wrote: “You are the most generous person I know โฆ I am forever in your debt.”
The financial relationship was substantial. Records show Epstein helped pay off Ferguson’s significant debts, including a reported ยฃ15,000 monthly allowance and settlement of a ยฃ5 million mortgage. In return, Ferguson appears to have facilitated introductions and social access.
Most problematic: Ferguson continued to exchange emails with Epstein after her 2011 public apology, in which she admitted a “terrible error of judgment” in having anything to do with him. Messages from 2012 and 2013 show ongoing communication about personal matters and potential meetings.
Ferguson’s representatives have not responded to requests for comment since the new files were released.
The Swedish Connection: Princess Sofia
The Swedish royal family also appears in the files, though the evidence is less extensive. Princess Sofia, who married Prince Carl Philip in 2015, was introduced to Epstein in 2005 at a social event in New York.
A photograph of her was sent to Epstein in March 2010 as part of an email thread that appears to discuss the possibility of a meeting. The sender wrote: “Sofia is in town next week โฆ thought you might want to say hello.”
There is no evidence of any subsequent meeting or wrongdoing by the Princess. The Swedish royal court has previously stated that any introduction was fleeting and that she had no further contact.
A court spokesperson said: “Princess Sofia has never met Jeffrey Epstein and has no connection to him or his activities. Any suggestion otherwise is false.”
Her mother-in-law, Queen Sofia, appears peripherally in the files only in the context of these introductions, with no evidence of direct communication or meetings.
The Middle Eastern Connections: Saudi Arabia and UAE
The files reveal Epstein cultivated relationships in the Gulf as well, though the evidence is more business-oriented.
Raafat Al-Sabbagh, a Saudi businessman and adviser to the Crown Prince, exchanged numerous messages with Epstein. In one 2014 text exchange, Al-Sabbagh wrote: “The girls here are amazing โฆ you would love it.” Epstein responded with a crude joke. The context suggests the conversation was about women, though no evidence directly links Al-Sabbagh to trafficking.
Business records show Epstein sought investment from Gulf sources, with meetings arranged through intermediaries. Al-Sabbagh’s name appears on multiple financial documents related to potential deals.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE’s Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, appears in social context only. Flight logs show one of his associates flew on Epstein’s aircraft, but there is no evidence of direct communication or misconduct.
Neither individual has commented on their appearances in the files.
The King’s Dilemma: Charles III
While not directly implicated in any alleged criminality, King Charles III now faces intense public scrutiny following his brother’s arrest. His personal statement on Feb. 19โsigned “Charles R” rather than issued by the palaceโwas an extraordinary intervention.
The full statement read: “I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office. What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities. In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and cooperation. Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.”
By stating “the law must take its course,” he publicly accepted the legal process, but questions persist about what he knew and when.
Royal historian Andrew Lownie framed the key questions: “What do they know? When did they know? What did they do then? And what are they going to do now?”
A heckler at a recent public engagement shouted at the King: “Have you pressurised the police to start investigating Andrew?”โa sign of the growing pressure on the monarchy.
Palace aides insist the King has maintained appropriate distance and cooperated fully with authorities. They point to the palace’s pre-arrest statement that “if approached by police we stand ready to support them as you would expect.”
The Norwegian Prosecutions: Beyond the Crown Princess
While Crown Princess Mette-Marit herself has not been charged, Norway’s investigation into the Epstein network is the most aggressive in Europe.
Thorbjรธrn Jagland, 75, who served as Prime Minister (1996-1997) and later head of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, was formally charged with “aggravated corruption” in January 2026. Police searched his Oslo residence and two other properties, removing boxes of evidence.
The charges stem from allegations that Jagland accepted gifts, travel, and loans from Epstein in connection with his official positions. The Council of Europe, where Jagland served as Secretary General from 2009 to 2019, waived his immunity to allow the prosecution.
Jagland denies any wrongdoing, with his lawyer stating: “He has done nothing illegal and will defend himself vigorously.”
The investigation has also ensnared Mona Juul, Norway’s ambassador to Jordan, who resigned after her contact with Epstein was revealed. Her husband, Terje Rรธd-Larsen, a prominent diplomat, also appears in the files.
The Accountability Gap: Why Europe Acts
The disparate legal responses to the Epstein files have created what analysts call an “accountability gap.”
United States: Attorney General Pam Bondi has stated the case is “closed” and “it’s time to move on.” No new prosecutions are expected from the Trump administration.
United Kingdom: Police arrested a prince. The Metropolitan Police is actively investigating Peter Mandelson and others.
Norway: Charged a former Prime Minister. Active criminal investigation ongoing.
France: Opened two new investigations into sexual abuse and financial wrongdoing.
Slovakia: Top diplomat Miroslav Lajฤรกk resigned after texts about “gorgeous” girls emerged.
“The contrast couldn’t be starker,” said a former senior U.S. Justice Department official. “In Europe, the files are a roadmap for accountability. Here, they’re treated as a closed chapter.”
The Epstein Index: Methodology and Access
The Royal Proximity Index is a component of the Epstein Index, a comprehensive database tracking 50,473 total entitiesโ39,847 individuals and 10,626 organizationsโmentioned in 3.5 million pages of documents, 2,000 videos, and 60+ primary sources.
Methodology:
ยท Raw entries processed: ~63,100
ยท Duplicates removed: ~12,600
ยท Weighting: Legal documents (3.0x), Financial records (2.5x), Personal correspondence (2.0x), Flight logs (1.8x), Social references (1.0x)
For the complete Epstein Index, including source links and detailed citations: Visit patreon.com/berndpulch for the full, searchable database and continuous updates.
For free public excerpts and breaking news analysis: Visit berndpulch.org .
What Comes Next
The Epstein files continue to reshape European politics and royal households. In the coming weeks:
ยท British government documents on Peter Mandelson’s vetting are expected to be released
ยท Norwegian prosecutors are building their case against Jagland
ยท French investigators are pursuing financial trails
ยท Pressure on King Charles is unlikely to abate
The Royal Proximity Index will be updated as new information emerges. The full database, available to supporters, includes source links for every claim and continuous tracking of developing investigations.
Bernd Pulch is the founder of the Epstein Index Project, a forensic data initiative tracking entities mentioned in the Epstein documents.
Last Updated: February 20, 2026
Total Entities in Full Database: 50,473 (39,847 Individuals โข 10,626 Organizations)
ยฉ 2026 Bernd Pulch / Epstein Index Project
Bernd Pulch (M.A.) is a forensic expert, founder of Aristotle AI, entrepreneur, political commentator, satirist, and investigative journalist covering lawfare, media control, investment, real estate, and geopolitics. His work examines how legal systems are weaponized, how capital flows shape policy, how artificial intelligence concentrates power, and what democracy loses when courts and markets become battlefields. Active in the German and international media landscape, his analyses appear regularly on this platform.
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