A new chapter in the ongoing royal saga unfolds as London police confirm they are investigating allegations that Prince Andrew attempted to gather derogatory information on his sexual assault accuser, Virginia Giuffre, in 2011. This revelation comes shortly after the Duke of York relinquished his remaining royal titles amid renewed scrutiny over his connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, intensifying pressure on the monarchy.
The Metropolitan Police in London is currently probing explosive claims that Prince Andrew sought to discredit his accuser, Virginia Giuffre, by asking a police officer assigned as his bodyguard to investigate her in 2011. These allegations, initially reported by the Mail on Sunday, suggest a calculated effort to undermine Giuffre’s credibility during a critical period.
According to the reports, Andrew allegedly provided his personal protection officer with Giuffre’s date of birth and confidential social security number. He then reportedly informed Ed Perkins, Queen Elizabeth’s deputy press secretary, of his request, stating in an email that it “would also seem she has a criminal record in the [United] States.” This alleged attempt to find a “checkered past” for Giuffre highlights the lengths to which he may have gone to challenge her accusations.
The specific claims under police review involve leaked emails that surfaced after Buckingham Palace’s announcement on October 17, 2025, that Prince Andrew would no longer use his Duke of York title and other royal honors. This decision came after renewed scrutiny following the emergence of emails showing Andrew’s continued contact with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein well into 2011, contradicting his earlier statements.
A History of Controversy and Denials
The recent allegations are a stark reminder of the long-standing scandal surrounding Prince Andrew’s association with Jeffrey Epstein. In November 2019, Andrew stepped back from his public duties and charity roles after a widely criticized BBC interview. In the interview, he attempted to counter media reports about his friendship with Epstein and deny allegations that he had sexual encounters with a 17-year-old Giuffre, who claims she was trafficked by Epstein in 2001. His explanations were deemed “unbelievable,” and he was criticized for failing to show empathy for Epstein’s victims, as reported by the Associated Press.
Despite his public denial of wrongdoing, Prince Andrew reached an out-of-court settlement with Giuffre in 2022 after she filed a civil suit against him in New York. While not an admission of guilt, he did acknowledge Giuffre’s suffering as a victim of sex trafficking. However, in his statement announcing the relinquishment of his titles, Andrew reiterated that he continues to “vigorously deny” the accusations against him, as noted by USA TODAY.
Public Reaction and Calls for Further Action
The new allegations have drawn strong reactions from political figures and Giuffre’s family. British Energy Secretary Ed Miliband commented on the deeply concerning nature of the claims, emphasizing that a police officer should never be enlisted in a smear campaign. “If that is correct, that is absolutely not the way that close protection officers should be used,” Miliband stated.
Virginia Giuffre’s family has welcomed the police investigation and the decision for Andrew to relinquish his titles, but they are pushing for more. Her family stated that Giuffre did not have a criminal record and is demanding a full investigation into how Andrew obtained such confidential information. Giuffre’s brother, Sky Roberts, publicly called upon King Charles III to go a step further and strip Andrew of his title as Prince, arguing that such a move would provide greater vindication for survivors.
Virginia Giuffre’s Enduring Legacy
Tragically, Virginia Giuffre died by suicide in April 2025 at the age of 41. However, her voice continues to resonate. Her posthumous memoir, titled “Nobody’s Girl,” is set to be released on October 21, 2025, offering her personal account and further details of the allegations against Prince Andrew and her experiences with Jeffrey Epstein. The publication of her memoir, coupled with the ongoing police investigation into Andrew’s alleged smear campaign, ensures that this scandal will not fade from public consciousness, continuing to exert pressure on the British royal family and its reputation.
