Epstein tried to recruit Queen into Oscar campaign, e-mails show

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was part of a PR campaign to help disgraced director Harvey Weinstein's film The King's Speech win an Oscar, emails released in the Epstein files have shown. 

Hollywood publicists working on the film, which scooped four Academy Awards in 2011, had planned to host a private screening for the former Prince and even tried to recruit the help of his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth, to bolster support. 

In the film Colin Firth portrays Andrew's grandfather George VI, who assumed the throne after his brother Edward's surprise abdication in 1936 and follows his battle against a speech impediment.

An email, which is among more than three million documents released by the Department of Justice on Friday, reveals Hollywood publicist Peggy Siegal had asked Epstein to ensure the ex-Duke watched the film.

The message, sent to Epstein on behalf of Ms Siegal, stated: 'As per our phone conversation Prince Andrew will be in the states Nov 29 – Dec 5.

'We will get a print of The King's Speech from Harvey Weinstein and have you host a very private, small, no press screening for Prince Andrew.

'Tell Prince Andrew the film, and Colin Firth who portrays his grandfather, is going to win the Oscar. Xoxo, Peggy.'

In another email sent to Epstein just weeks before the academy awards, Ms Siegal seemingly admits that she 'slipped' Andrew a DVD of the film in the hopes he would pass it on for the late Queen to watch. 

Following the film's official release in September 2010, there had been much speculation as to whether it had been watched by Queen Elizabeth. 

In an effort to drive up the film's acclaim, Ms Siegal seemingly attempted to show it to as many members of the Royal Family as possible. 

In another email exchange with Epstein on November 5, 2011, the publicist says Mr Firth had tried to show it to the then Prince Charles but the Palace said 'no'. 

'Tom Hooper told me Colin Firth was going to show it to Prince Charles and the palace said NO,' the message stated. 

'Tom Hooper told me the palace said they will never know if the royals every [sic] see the film...they said this on "The Queen" until it won all these awards... The Kings Speech is going to WIN THE OSCAR!!!' 

Months later, Epstein and Ms Siegal seemingly discussed the film again. In an email sent on February 4, 2011, he wrote: 'she should have seen it at Christmas but the DVD she had did not work , i will know wed whether or not she actually saw it.'

It is unclear who Epstein is referring to in the exchange, but Ms Siegal appeared overjoyed by the news. 

She replied: 'This is the best email you EVER sent me. I am controlling myself not to send it to Harvey. xoxo Peg'. 

On February 5, the BBC reported that the Queen had 'given her blessing' to the film and had been 'moved' after watching a private screening. 

The article included a quote from screenwriter David Seidler, saying it was 'incredibly and wonderfully gratifying' to have the Monarch's endorsement.

Later that day, Ms Siegal messaged Epstein again, reacting to a similar story from the Hollywood Reporter which claimed 'Queen Elizabeth just endorsed The King's Speech'.

She wrote in the email: 'Now the Queen herself jumps into the race the day the ballots go out and suddenly the film is the intemet (sic) darling. 

'I sent my ballot in minutes after receiving it with a royal flush. Every person we invite and call for Geoffrey's dinner, we encourage to vote. 

'I am controlling myself until Feb. 27th when I hope we all have chance to get s*** faced Monk together. What a ride. xoxo Peg'. 

Then on February 12, Ms Siegal revealed she had 'slipped' a copy of the King's Speech DVD into Andrew's pocket. 

'As much as want to take credit for slipping Prince Andrew a dvd of TKS at Jeffrey Epstein's...I found out Tom Hooper had sent dvds to a few secretaries of the Queen in Buckingham Palace in October and the Royal family has been hip to this film from day one....and her recent "MOVED" review is priceless.'

It was revealed in another tranche of Epstein files last year that Prince Andrew hosted Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell and Weinstein at Royal Lodge. 

The trio were at the 30-room royal residence - where the former Duke of York continues to live for free - for Princess Beatrice's 18th birthday party in 2006.

While it had previously been reported that the trio attended the masked ball at Windsor Castle, it was not known that they were hosted by Andrew at his home.

It is understood that Epstein, Maxwell and Weinstein visited Royal Lodge ahead of the main party.