The Metropolitan Police in London are investigating allegations that Prince Andrew requested a police officer assigned to him as a bodyguard to gather information about his sexual assault accuser, Virginia Giuffre. The inquiry follows a report by the Mail on Sunday, which stated that Andrew sought to discredit Giuffre by asking the officer to check if she had a criminal record in 2011.
This revelation comes on the heels of Buckingham Palace‘s announcement on March 10, 2023, that Andrew has agreed to relinquish the use of the title Duke of York and other royal titles. The decision was influenced by the emergence of emails indicating that Andrew had maintained contact with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein longer than previously acknowledged. Giuffre, who died by suicide in April 2023 at the age of 41, has been a vocal critic of Andrew, accusing him of sexual assault during her trafficking by Epstein.
The ongoing scrutiny of Andrew’s actions has intensified following the publication of these emails, which have added to the mounting pressure on the royal family to distance itself from his controversial associations. The House of Windsor has been working to mitigate the fallout from Andrew’s past since November 2019, when he stepped back from public duties after a widely criticized interview with the BBC. During that appearance, he denied allegations of sexual misconduct involving Giuffre, claiming he had severed ties with Epstein in 2010.
In the 2011 request for information on Giuffre, Andrew reportedly provided his bodyguard with her date of birth and confidential social security number in an effort to uncover any potentially damaging information about her. It remains unclear whether the officer acted on this request. Giuffre’s family has stated that she did not have a criminal record, further complicating Andrew’s attempts to undermine her credibility.
With Giuffre’s posthumous memoir set to be released soon, the scandal surrounding Andrew shows no signs of abating. British Energy Secretary Ed Miliband spoke on the matter, emphasizing the seriousness of the allegations. He remarked, “These are deeply concerning allegations. If that is correct, that is absolutely not the way that close protection officers should be used.” His comments reflect broader public concern regarding the integrity of royal protection officers and the implications of such alleged misuse.
In February 2022, Andrew reached an out-of-court settlement with Giuffre after she filed a civil suit against him in New York. While the prince did not admit any wrongdoing, he acknowledged Giuffre’s suffering as a victim of sex trafficking. On March 10, 2023, he reiterated his position, stating that he continues to “vigorously deny” all accusations against him.
As the investigation unfolds, the implications for Andrew and the royal family remain significant, highlighting the challenges faced by the monarchy in addressing past controversies and maintaining public trust.
