British authorities have announced they will take no further action against Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, over allegations that he asked his taxpayer-funded security team to investigate Virginia Giuffre, a prominent victim of Jeffrey Epstein. The decision, disclosed on December 13, 2025, by London’s Metropolitan Police, comes after months of scrutiny and renewed attention on the case following Giuffre’s death and the release of her posthumous memoir.
The controversy centers on claims that in 2011, Andrew requested one of his police bodyguards to dig up information on Giuffre, allegedly in an effort to undermine her credibility. The Mail on Sunday reported that Andrew provided Giuffre’s date of birth and Social Security number to his security officer, hoping to discover whether she had a criminal record. The Sunday Telegraph added that the then-prince was intent on “digging up dirt” on Giuffre. However, according to police and Giuffre’s family, there is no evidence that the officer ever acted on the request.
Central Specialist Crime Commander Ella Marriott of the Metropolitan Police stated, “This assessment has not revealed any additional evidence of criminal acts or misconduct. To date, we have not received any additional evidence that would support reopening the investigation. In the absence of any further information, we will be taking no further action.” Marriott further emphasized, “Our thoughts will always be with Ms Giuffre’s family and friends following her death.”
Giuffre, whose allegations against Andrew and other powerful men in Epstein’s circle brought global attention to the issue of sex trafficking, died by suicide in April 2025 at the age of 41. Her family, clearly devastated by both her loss and the police decision, released a statement saying they are “deeply disappointed” that the U.K. police dropped the probe “without explanation and without speaking to us.” They added, “While we have hailed the U.K.’s overall handling of the case of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor previously, today we feel justice has not been served.”
Virginia Giuffre’s accusations against Andrew were first made public in 2014, when she alleged that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his then-girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, trafficked her to Andrew when she was just 17. Giuffre claimed she was forced to have sexual encounters with the prince, including at Maxwell’s London home. Andrew has consistently denied all allegations, stating in a 2019 BBC Newsnight interview that he “never had any sort of sexual contact” with Giuffre and even questioned whether he had met her “at all.”
Despite his denials, the scandal has had lasting repercussions for Andrew and the royal family. In 2022, Andrew settled a civil sexual assault case with Giuffre in New York for an estimated $16.3 million, according to The Daily Beast. The settlement included no admission of guilt, but Andrew did acknowledge Giuffre’s suffering as a victim of sex trafficking. The episode led to mounting public and political pressure on the monarchy, with calls for greater accountability and transparency regarding the actions of its members.
In October 2025, King Charles III took the unprecedented step of stripping Andrew of his royal titles and requiring him to vacate Royal Lodge, his longtime family home. Buckingham Palace released a statement noting, “Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation. These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him.” Victoria Arbiter, a royal commentator, described the king’s action as “bold and decisive,” reflecting the urgency of the moment and the mounting pressure on the monarchy to act.
The police investigation was prompted by leaked emails from 2011, which surfaced earlier this year in the British press. The emails allegedly showed Andrew informing the Queen’s deputy press secretary that he had asked his close protection officer to gather information on Giuffre. The timing was notable, as the messages were sent just hours before the now-infamous 2001 photograph emerged, showing Andrew with his arm around a then-17-year-old Giuffre, with Ghislaine Maxwell in the background.
Political voices have also weighed in on the matter. Ed Miliband, the UK’s Energy Secretary, called the allegations “deeply concerning” and criticized the alleged use of close protection officers for personal matters, saying it was “absolutely not the way that close protection officers should be used.” The advocacy group Republic, which campaigns for a more accountable monarchy, called for an independent inquiry after the police decision. Republic’s chief executive, Graham Smith, argued, “If you’re a royal, you can get away with pretty much anything with few consequences. The police never interview the royals as suspects or witnesses and do the bare minimum to investigate accusations. The evidence of corruption and abuse would get anyone else into serious trouble.”
Supporters of the royal family, meanwhile, have pointed to the lack of criminal evidence and the repeated denials by Andrew as justification for the police decision. They argue that the monarchy has taken significant steps to distance itself from scandal and protect its reputation, especially under King Charles III’s leadership.
The Metropolitan Police, for their part, maintain that they remain open to new information. Their statement clarified, “As with any other matter, should new and relevant information be brought to our attention, including in any information resulting from the release of material in the U.S., we will assess it.” This comes as the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Epstein Transparency Act, prompting the release of thousands of photos and documents related to the Epstein investigation. Among the materials released this week were 19 archival photos from the Epstein estate, including one featuring Andrew with former Microsoft chairman Bill Gates.
Giuffre’s story, detailed in her posthumous memoir Nobody’s Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice, continues to resonate with survivors and advocates for justice around the world. Her family, in their statement, pledged to “continue to challenge the system that protects abusers, especially as more evidence comes to light that can hold people accountable. Our sister Virginia, and all survivors, are owed this much.”
As the royal family contends with the fallout, and as new information from ongoing U.S. investigations emerges, the story of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Virginia Giuffre remains a flashpoint in the broader reckoning with power, privilege, and accountability.
