Details of the planned call have emerged in an email from the King's brother - who was arrested at his home on the Norfolk estate this week - and have raised fresh questions over his previous claims to have ended their relationship.

Photos of the Royals at Sandringham on Christmas Day 2009. The Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Andrew walking to Church. (Image: Matthew Usher)

The email - part of a huge tranche of Epstein documents released by the US Department of Justice - was written on December 22, 2010.

In it, the then Duke of York wrote to "Dear J" wishing him a "wonderful Christmas and spectacular entry into 2011."

He added: "It was great to spend time with my US family. Looking forward to joining you all again soon."

After signing off as "A", the former royal added: "I'll call you tomorrow around 1800 my time as I am moving the family up to Sandringham during the day."

An email, released by the US Department of Justice, from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, messaging Epstein days after he said he had cut all ties with the convicted sex offender (Image: US Department of Justice)

The email was sent just days after Mr Mountbatten-Windsor returned from a trip to New York to visit Epstein, months after the financier was released from prison for procuring a child for prostitution and of soliciting a prostitute.

In his disastrous 2019 interview with the BBC's Emily Maitlis, the former royal claimed that the purpose of the visit was to break up his friendship with Epstein.

"I went there with the sole purpose of saying to him that because he had been convicted it was inappropriate for us to be seen together," Mr Mountbatten-Windsor said.

A screenshot from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's BBC interview with Emily Maitlis (Image: BBC)

During the New York visit, Mr Mountbatten-Windsor stayed in Epstein's townhouse and the pair were photographed taking a walk in the city's Central Park.

In the BBC interview, the former royal said: "I took the judgement call that because this was serious and I felt that doing it over the telephone was the chicken's way of doing it. I had to go and see him and talk to him...

"I said "Look, because of what has happened, I don't think it is appropriate that we should remain in contact," and by mutual agreement during that walk in the park we decided that we would part company and I left."

He told viewers: “To this day, I never had any contact with him from that day forward.”

A family Christmas card from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and family sent to Epstein in 2011 (Image: US Department of Justice)

The 2010 email from Mr Mountbatten-Windsor about his plans to call Epstein also had an attachment, described as a 'family Christmas E-card'.

Two days after sending the email, on Christmas Eve, Mr Mountbatten-Windsor also appears to have sent Epstein a confidential briefing on investment opportunities in the reconstruction of Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Police officers at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, where Andrew Mounbatten-Windsor has relocated following his departure from Royal Lodge in Windsor. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office. (Image: Jordan Pettitt)

It is one of several documents, released as part of the Epstein files, that have led to the former prince's arrest this week into allegations of misconduct in public office.

Mr Mountbatten-Windsor - who was stripped of his titles last year but remains eighth in line to the throne - is now back at his home at Wood Farm in Wolferton after his arrest on Thursday.

He spent the day - his 66th birthday - at Aylsham police station before being released in the evening.

The front pages of national newspapers on display in London showing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor leaving Aylsham Police Station after he was released from custody on Thursday after he was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. (Image: Yui Mok)

While he was in custody, his Norfolk property was searched by police.

His former home, at the Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park, has also been searched.

An entrance at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, where Andrew Mounbatten-Windsor has relocated following his departure from Royal Lodge in Windsor. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office. (Image: Jordan Pettitt)

The operation was led by Thames Valley Police, which has been investigating allegations that a woman was trafficked to the UK by Epstein to have a sexual encounter with Mr Mountbatten-Windsor, as well as claims he shared sensitive information with the paedophile while serving as the UK’s trade envoy.

Norfolk police confirmed they were supporting Thames Valley’s investigation.

A statement issued by Buckingham Palace from King Charles III following the arrest of his brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The King said in a written statement: "I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office." (Image: Buckingham Palace/PA Wire)

Mr Mountbatten-Windsor is the first senior royal in modern history to be arrested.

He has always denied any wrongdoing.

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