Email correspondence between the Duke of York and Jeffrey Epstein is likely to be examined by the FBI, threatening to draw the Royal further into the scandal surrounding the late paedophile.

Agents seized two desktop computers, and an Apple device from Epstein’s private island in the US Virgin Islands following his death and they are understood to be a significant line in the ongoing investigation.

A source with knowledge of how investigators will proceed said a “forensic” sweep of emails would be done to see which of Epstein’s friends knew what, and when, about him.

If there were any “interesting” emails to or from the Duke he could be asked to hand over his own communications or computers.

Further correspondence sent by others may concern the Duke, for example when plans were made for his visits to Epstein.

It came as lawyers for Virginia Giuffre, Epstein’s alleged teenage “sex slave,” welcomed reports that the Duke was willing to cooperate with authorities on both sides of the Atlantic.

Jeffrey Epstein killed himself in prison credit: New York State Sex Offender Registry/AP

Buckingham Palace aides are said to have made it clear that he will assist if approached.

Ms Giuffre, 36, claims to have had sex with the Duke in Florida when she was 17, underage in the state.

The Duke has vehemently denied the allegations and any involvement. All the allegations about him were struck from the court record in 2015 and described as "immaterial and impertinent" by a judge.

Brad Edwards, Ms Giuffre’s lawyer, told The Telegraph, he hoped the Duke would now sit for a formal deposition under oath.

He said: "We have, for years, been asking for his [the Duke’s] assistance. I have noticed in his last few statements he seems more willing to help than he has in the past. For that, we are truly thankful.

"While I wish his full cooperation had come sooner, as many things could have turned out differently, it is always better late than never.”

Mr Edwards added: "I presume his commitment extends not only to authorities, but also for those representing the many victims as well."

The Duke of York was pictured with Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre in court papers

In New York prosecutors are still pursuing a criminal investigation into Epstein and “any co-conspirators” for alleged underage sex trafficking.

Adam Citron, a former New York prosecutor, said they would “absolutely” want to speak to the Duke.

He said it was highly probable there was already a private “back channel” between New York prosecutors and the Duke’s lawyers.

He told The Telegraph: “It’s always good to have a line of communication. I don’t see Prince Andrew flying to the US and going to the prosecutors’ office. It would be a fiasco.

“They’ll talk to him on Skype, or set up a secure line, or they’ll send an investigator to London. You won’t know about it publicly.

“Absolutely they’re going to want to talk to him as a witness. They’ll have questions about his friendship with Epstein, times they were together, who else was there, information on other people.”

If there are communications the FBI is interested in, it can subpoena records from internet companies or get warrants for individuals’ computers.

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“It depends what they find on Epstein’s computer,” said Mr Citron. “If they do find something they’re going to want Andrew’s computers.

“It sounds like he’s cooperating so I’m sure he would just hand them over.”

Meanwhile, French prosecutors declined to comment about whether they would seek to question the Duke during their own investigation into sexual abuse and rape by Epstein whilst in Paris.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said they would not be adding further comments to those already released.

An FBI spokeswoman in New York declined to comment on the investigation.