Prince Andrew is under investigation by the Metropolitan Police for allegedly using his taxpayer-funded close protection officer to obtain confidential information about Virginia Giuffre, according to leaked emails. The revelations intensify the scandal surrounding his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, coming just days after Andrew relinquished his royal titles in a bid to mitigate the ongoing fallout.
The leaked correspondence, published by the Mail on Sunday, reveals that in 2011, Andrew provided Giuffre’s date of birth and U.S. social security number to his bodyguard, claiming she had a criminal record—an assertion her family firmly denies. Andrew communicated these details to Ed Perkins, then Queen Elizabeth’s deputy press secretary, in emails sent hours before a now-infamous photograph of the prince with a 17-year-old Giuffre emerged. There is no evidence that the officer complied with the request, but the Met Police have confirmed they are ‘actively looking into the claims,’ describing the allegations as serious enough to warrant scrutiny.
Virginia Giuffre, who died earlier this year, had accused Andrew of sexually abusing her on three occasions while she was a minor, allegations he has consistently denied. In 2022, Andrew settled a civil lawsuit with Giuffre for millions of dollars, though he admitted no wrongdoing. The latest email leak has reignited public outrage, with Giuffre’s family emphasizing that she had no criminal record and calling for an investigation into how Andrew obtained her sensitive personal information, which could involve potential breaches of privacy or misconduct.
The timing of these developments coincides with the impending publication of Giuffre’s posthumous memoir, which includes harrowing accounts of her experiences and describes Andrew as ‘entitled.’ Her brother, Sky Roberts, has acknowledged the significance of Andrew’s title relinquishment but urged King Charles to go further by stripping him of his prince status, which requires a formal letters patent. Roberts stated that while the move is a step toward accountability, it falls short of addressing the full scope of justice sought by survivors of Epstein’s trafficking network.
Andrew’s decision to give up his titles, including Duke of York, followed discussions with King Charles and was framed as an effort to reduce distractions for the royal family. He retains his princedom by birthright, but the move signals a dramatic fall from grace, with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, also renouncing her title. The couple’s daughters will continue to hold princess titles, but Andrew’s isolation from royal duties appears permanent, reflecting the monarchy’s attempt to distance itself from the Epstein scandal.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband described the allegations as ‘deeply concerning’ and emphasized that close protection officers should not be used for personal investigations, underscoring the ethical and legal implications. The government has indicated that any legislative actions regarding Andrew’s status would be guided by the royal family, who have expressed reluctance to involve parliament. Meanwhile, the Met Police’s probe could represent the first royal police investigation in decades, potentially leading to further legal consequences if misconduct is substantiated.
The broader context of Andrew’s relationship with Epstein continues to cast a shadow, with previous emails showing Andrew maintained contact with the convicted sex offender despite public claims of severing ties. In one 2011 message, Andrew told Epstein, ‘Keep in close touch and we’ll play some more soon!’ highlighting the depth of their association. Giuffre’s memoir excerpt, published by The Guardian, recounts her first encounter with Andrew, portraying him as believing sex with her was his ‘birthright,’ adding to the mounting evidence of his entitled behavior.
As the police inquiry unfolds, the focus shifts to whether Andrew will face additional repercussions beyond the loss of his titles. Advocates for Epstein’s victims are pushing for full transparency and accountability, arguing that the scandal exposes systemic issues of power and impunity. The ongoing developments suggest that the legal and reputational challenges for Prince Andrew and the royal family are far from over, with potential further revelations from Giuffre’s memoir and the police investigation likely to keep the case in the public eye.