CAMPAIGNERS have demanded a “full, unrelenting investigation” into royal links to Jeffrey Epstein after it emerged that Prince Andrew told the sex trafficker “we are in this together.”

The Duke of York reportedly made the comment in an email sent on February 28 2011 — three months after he claimed to have cut contact with Epstein. 

The message, revealed by newspapers today, was sent the day after the well-known photograph of the duke with victim Virginia Giuffre was first published.

The duke had told BBC Newsnight that he ended his friendship with the convicted sex offender in December 2010.

But according to the reports, he wrote: “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 is said to have signed off with “A, HRH The Duke of York, KG.”

The duke stepped back from public duties in 2019 following public outrage over his friendship with Epstein. 

He later paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault case brought by Ms Giuffre, who was trafficked by Epstein as a teenager. 

The duke has always denied any wrongdoing or that he ever met Ms Giuffre, whose death by suicide earlier this year was linked by family to a lifetime’s experience of sexual abuse.

Anti-monarchy campaign group Republic has demanded answers over what other royals knew about the duke’s relationship with Epstein, saying it “beggars belief” that King Charles and Prince William were not informed about the email or “the full extent of the scandal.”

Republic spokesman Graham Smith said: “If the Sun can get this email, then so can the palace. 

“Charles and William have been conniving to protect Andrew for over a decade now. It has to stop.”

Mr Smith accused the duke of “clearly lying” about his ties to Epstein, adding: “This latest email revelation suggests an admission to at least some of the accusations made by Giuffre.

“This isn’t just about family. It’s not a private matter. We need to know if the royals are putting family before country.

“The public deserve a full, unrelenting investigation into this shameful saga.

“It’s now time for the police and MPs to throw open the files and fully investigate not just Andrew’s actions, but the obvious royal cover-up.”