Updated: October 20, 2025
In a shocking development that has reignited global scrutiny of the British royal family, London’s Metropolitan Police have launched an inquiry into allegations that Prince Andrew attempted to use his royal protection officers to gather damaging information about Virginia Giuffre, the woman who accused him of sexual assault.
The investigation, according to multiple reports, centers on claims that Prince Andrew, then serving as a senior working royal, pressured a police bodyguard assigned to his security detail to dig into Giuffre’s private background more than a decade ago.
Sources suggest that the Duke of York wanted his officer to find personal information such as Giuffre’s date of birth and U.S. Social Security number, allegedly in hopes of finding compromising material that could undermine her credibility as a sexual assault accuser.
The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) released a brief statement confirming that it is “assessing information related to a historical allegation involving the Duke of York and a serving officer.”
While police have not yet launched a formal criminal investigation, the revelation has raised serious concerns about potential misuse of authority and breach of privacy laws.
Officials say that the preliminary review will determine whether there is enough evidence to open a full investigation. So far, no arrests have been made, and Buckingham Palace has declined to comment on the matter.
The reported incident allegedly occurred in 2011, around the time Prince Andrew’s ties to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were already under increasing media scrutiny.
According to documents and emails obtained by British media outlets, the Duke of York allegedly instructed his security team to investigate Giuffre’s background after she publicly accused him of sexual misconduct.
One unnamed source described the request as “highly unusual and unethical,” claiming that it put the officer in a difficult position — torn between loyalty to the royal family and the law governing data protection.
Virginia Giuffre, now 41, has long maintained that she was trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell to have sex with Prince Andrew when she was 17 years old — a claim he has repeatedly denied.
In 2021, Giuffre filed a civil lawsuit in New York accusing the prince of sexual assault and emotional distress. The case was settled out of court in early 2022 for an undisclosed sum, reportedly several million dollars.
As part of the settlement, Prince Andrew did not admit any wrongdoing but agreed to support Giuffre’s work against sex trafficking.
Despite the resolution, the scandal forced him to step down from royal duties, lose military honors, and stop using his title “His Royal Highness” in any official capacity.
This new investigation has once again thrust the royal family into an uncomfortable spotlight, coming just as the monarchy has tried to rebuild its reputation following years of controversies.
Political leaders and activists are now calling for greater accountability and transparency regarding royal conduct — particularly when state-funded security resources are allegedly involved in personal matters.
According to a report by The Guardian, several Members of Parliament have urged the government to consider an inquiry into how much oversight exists over royal protection teams and whether their powers could be abused for non-official purposes.
Social media has also erupted with debate, with many users criticizing what they call “royal privilege and double standards.” Others have questioned why the royal family continues to receive taxpayer-funded security while being repeatedly entangled in scandals.
Legal experts have suggested that if evidence proves that an official officer accessed or attempted to access private data under royal direction, it could amount to misuse of public office — a criminal offense under UK law.
“Any police officer who used their position to unlawfully obtain personal information could face prosecution,” said one London-based legal analyst. “And if there’s proof that such an action was requested or encouraged by a member of the royal family, that’s a constitutional crisis in the making.”
So far, Buckingham Palace has chosen not to issue a statement. A source close to Prince Andrew told British media that the Duke “categorically denies asking anyone to gather information illegally.”
However, with growing media pressure and renewed calls for transparency, the palace may eventually be forced to address the issue publicly — especially as trust in the institution remains fragile.
Even years after Jeffrey Epstein’s death, his network continues to haunt the world’s elite — from Wall Street financiers to royal figures.
Prince Andrew’s association with Epstein has been a persistent stain on the royal brand, despite repeated denials of any illegal behavior. The current police probe suggests that the past is far from over.
This development may also reopen broader discussions about power, privilege, and accountability — issues that resonate beyond Britain’s borders.
The Metropolitan Police are expected to complete their initial review in the coming weeks. Depending on their findings, they could:
Regardless of the outcome, the story is likely to have lasting repercussions for both Prince Andrew’s reputation and the public image of the British monarchy.
The allegations against Prince Andrew, if proven true, could mark one of the most damaging chapters yet for the royal family. What began as a private scandal years ago has now evolved into a question of ethics, power, and justice at the highest levels of British society.
For now, the world watches as London police determine whether the Duke of York crossed a line that even royalty cannot step over.
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