The British royal family is once again under the glare of public scrutiny, as new revelations about Prince Andrew’s conduct have sent shockwaves through both the monarchy and the wider public. The controversy, which erupted in mid-October 2025, centers on Prince Andrew’s decision to relinquish his remaining royal titles amid mounting pressure and damaging disclosures about his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and his alleged efforts to discredit his accuser, Virginia Giuffre.
According to The Mail on Sunday, Prince Andrew asked his taxpayer-funded Metropolitan Police bodyguard to investigate Ms. Giuffre, providing the officer with her date of birth and confidential U.S. social security number. Andrew’s aim was reportedly to dig up information that might undermine Giuffre’s credibility as she accused him of sexual abuse—a claim the prince has repeatedly and vehemently denied. Hours before a now-infamous photograph of Andrew with a 17-year-old Giuffre was published, he informed Ed Perkins, Queen Elizabeth’s deputy press secretary, about his request to the bodyguard. "It would also seem she has a criminal record in the [United] States," Andrew wrote, according to The Mail on Sunday, adding, "I have given her DoB [date of birth] and social security number for investigation with XXX, the on duty ppo [personal protection officer]."
There is no evidence that the officer complied with the request, and Giuffre’s family has confirmed she did not have a criminal record. Still, the implications are grave. Legal experts have described Andrew’s actions as "utterly despicable and reprehensible," with prominent barrister Charlotte Proudman stating, "This shows Prince Andrew using his connections, including the police who are paid for by the taxpayer, in an attempt to dig up dirt on a survivor of sex trafficking. It is just despicable. It certainly seems like a breach of her right to privacy and to protect her data from being misused. This should be investigated."
The Metropolitan Police, for their part, told The Mail on Sunday that they are "actively looking into the claims made." Giuffre’s family has renewed their call for King Charles to strip Andrew of his Prince title and have requested a full investigation into how he obtained her private information, saying, "These outrageous emails are further vindication of Virginia. It underscores her courage and her strength as a truth teller."
The crisis for Prince Andrew intensified after further revelations about his links to Epstein surfaced in early October. According to The Sunday Times, the so-called "Prince Andrew issue" was rapidly coming to a head, prompting decisive action from the royal family. On October 19, 2025, newspapers across the UK reported that Andrew’s life as a senior royal ended following a terse, ten-minute phone call with King Charles. The decision was not made lightly, but the mood in royal circles was clear: something had to give.
Prince William, the heir to the throne, is reportedly unsatisfied with the outcome. The Sunday Times cited sources suggesting William intends to take a "more ruthless" approach when he becomes king, including banning his uncle from his own coronation. The so-called "Andrew problem" is expected to remain a key issue for the monarchy for years to come. Kensington Palace, when approached for comment, declined to respond.
The fallout from these events has also prompted reflection on Andrew’s past public statements. In a 2019 interview with broadcaster Emily Maitlis for BBC’s Newsnight, Prince Andrew claimed to have cut all ties with Epstein in December 2010. However, an email from February 2011 has since emerged, suggesting he continued to stay in contact. Maitlis, reflecting on the interview in The Observer, said simply, "He lied to me."
The "Epstein files," a cache of emails obtained by The Mail on Sunday, provide further insight into the prince’s actions. These emails reportedly show that Epstein attempted to set Andrew up on a dinner date with a second woman, who claims she was abused and trafficked by Epstein for years. The woman’s legal representatives told The Mail on Sunday that she is now rebuilding her life. The emergence of a second woman in the prince’s orbit is expected to send further shockwaves through the royal family. When asked if her client ever met Andrew, the woman’s lawyer replied with a "stony silence." A representative for Prince Andrew declined to comment.
The emails also reveal the extent of Andrew’s efforts to coordinate a response to the allegations. In correspondence with Ed Perkins, Andrew discussed preparing a statement and relayed information from Ghislaine Maxwell and Epstein, seeking ways to undermine Giuffre’s credibility. Epstein, for his part, offered suggestions on how to challenge Giuffre’s reliability, including seeking statements from a judge about her lack of credibility and referencing a disputed police report. Despite these efforts, Giuffre’s family insists she had no criminal record.
Tragically, Virginia Giuffre took her own life earlier in 2025. Her family’s statements in the wake of these revelations have been a mix of sorrow and vindication. Her brother, Sky Roberts, told The Mail on Sunday, "We’ve shed a lot of happy and sad tears. In a lot of ways this vindicates Virginia."
The repercussions extend beyond the royal family. The revelations have prompted calls from lawyers and privacy experts for a thorough investigation. Mark Stephens, a solicitor specializing in data and privacy, told The Mail on Sunday, "It seems to me that there are reasons to investigate whether a criminal conspiracy has occurred here and I suspect the public will want that investigation." Spencer Kuvin, a lawyer for nine of Epstein’s victims, echoed this sentiment, saying, "Smearing a survivor is the oldest play in the handbook. It is despicable that Andrew fails to take accountability for his actions. Hopefully the authorities will look into his actions and prosecute him for any laws he may have broken."
Meanwhile, the royal family faces a difficult reckoning. Andrew’s relinquishment of his remaining titles—including the prestigious Duke of York and membership of the Order of the Garter—marks a humiliating chapter for the monarchy. The story is far from over, as the Metropolitan Police continue their investigation, and the public awaits answers about how Andrew obtained Giuffre’s private information and whether any laws were broken.
For now, the royal family must contend with the fallout and the enduring questions about power, privilege, and accountability in the modern age.
