London’s Metropolitan Police have closed a preliminary investigation into allegations Prince Andrew attempted to discredit his accuser, Virginia Giuffre, despite claims outlined in her recently published posthumous memoir. The decision, announced today, follows a review of claims that the Duke of York solicited his security team to gather damaging facts on Giuffre, who died in April 2025 after years as a prominent voice against Jeffrey Epstein [[3]]. While the police state no evidence of wrongdoing was found, the move has drawn criticism from Giuffre’s family adn leaves open the possibility of future investigation pending the release of additional documents from U.S. court proceedings.
London’s Metropolitan Police have announced they will not be launching an immediate investigation into allegations that Prince Andrew orchestrated a counter-investigation into his accuser, Virginia Giuffre, using his security detail.
The decision comes despite claims detailed in Giuffre’s posthumous memoir, published in October, alleging she was subjected to three instances of sexual assault by the former prince, including when she was 17 years old and under the control of financier Jeffrey Epstein. The allegations have sparked widespread public interest, given the prince’s former royal status and Epstein’s history of sex crimes.
Giuffre, who died in April 2025, was a key accuser of Epstein. Her memoir alleges that Prince Andrew requested an officer gather compromising information on her in 2011, with the intention of launching a defamation campaign.
According to Metropolitan Police officer Ella Marriott, the police investigated the claims but “no evidence of criminal offenses or wrongdoing” was found, and no further action will be taken.
“We are deeply disappointed that the Metropolitan Police have discontinued their investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor without explanation and without consulting us, the family of Virginia,” Giuffre’s family said in a statement. “We will continue to challenge the system that protects abusers, especially as new evidence emerges that could establish their culpability.”
The Metropolitan Police stated they would re-evaluate the case should new, relevant information come to light, including any information resulting from the planned release of investigative documents in the United States.
“If any further relevant information comes to our attention, including information arising from the release of documents in the US, it will be assessed,” Marriott added.
Prince Andrew, 65, the second son of the late Queen Elizabeth II, was stripped of his royal titles in October and asked to vacate his residence at Royal Lodge in Windsor, a historically significant decision stemming from his association with Epstein. The move marked an unprecedented fall from grace for a member of the British royal family.
The decision not to investigate further underscores the challenges in pursuing legal action against high-profile figures in cases involving historical allegations. The development could also influence future diplomatic talks and scrutiny of the British monarchy’s handling of the Epstein scandal.
