Prince Andrew Investigated for Using Bodyguard to Target Virginia Giuffre

London’s Metropolitan Police have launched an investigation into explosive allegations that Prince Andrew enlisted a taxpayer-funded bodyguard to dig up dirt on his late accuser, Virginia Giuffre, in a bid to smear her reputation. The probe, confirmed on Sunday, October 19, 2025, follows reports that in 2011, Andrew provided his close protection officer with Giuffre’s date of birth and confidential U.S. social security number to investigate whether she had a criminal record—just hours before a now-infamous photograph of the prince with the then-17-year-old was set to be published.

The allegations, first reported by the Mail on Sunday, have reignited public outrage over Andrew’s ties to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. According to leaked emails, Andrew sent Giuffre’s sensitive personal details to Queen Elizabeth II’s deputy press secretary, Ed Perkins, writing: “It would also seem she has a criminal record in the States. I have given her DoB and social security number for investigation with XXX, the on-duty PPO.” The timing was critical: the request coincided with the imminent publication of a photograph showing Andrew with his arm around Giuffre, who was allegedly trafficked by Epstein. Giuffre’s family has denied any criminal history, calling the move a desperate attempt to silence a survivor.

The scandal comes on the heels of Buckingham Palace’s dramatic announcement on Friday, October 17, 2025, that Andrew would relinquish his Duke of York title, the Order of the Garter, and all remaining royal honors. The decision, driven by King Charles III and Prince William, followed fresh revelations of Andrew’s ongoing contact with Epstein in 2011, despite his 2019 claim of cutting ties in 2010. A February 28, 2011, email to Epstein, in which Andrew wrote, “We are in this together” and must “rise above it,” shattered his credibility and sealed his royal demotion.

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Giuffre, who died by suicide in April 2025 at age 41 in Australia, accused Andrew of sexually assaulting her three times in 2001 while she was a victim of Epstein’s trafficking network. Her family, devastated by her loss, has demanded that King Charles strip Andrew of his princely title entirely and called for a full inquiry into how he obtained Giuffre’s private information. “This email exposes the lengths to which those implicated try to discredit survivors,” they said in a statement. With Giuffre’s posthumous memoir set for release on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, they vowed it would reveal the full scope of her suffering.

The controversy traces back to Andrew’s disastrous 2019 BBC Newsnight interview, where his attempts to dismiss Giuffre’s allegations and downplay his Epstein friendship backfired spectacularly. His bizarre claims—such as not sweating during an alleged encounter due to a medical condition and having no recollection of meeting Giuffre despite the photograph—drew widespread scorn for their lack of empathy and plausibility. By November 2019, Andrew had stepped back from all public duties, patronages, and military roles, retreating to his Windsor estate amid relentless headlines about his dubious associations and business dealings.

In 2022, Andrew settled a civil lawsuit filed by Giuffre in New York for a reported £12 million, including a £2 million donation to a trafficking victims’ charity. While he admitted no wrongdoing, he acknowledged Giuffre’s suffering as a victim. In his Friday statement, Andrew reiterated his “vigorous denial” of the accusations, claiming the settlement was to spare his family further scrutiny.

British Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, speaking on Sunday morning news programs, condemned the alleged misuse of police resources. “These are deeply concerning allegations,” he told the BBC. “If true, this is absolutely not how close protection officers should be used. A police officer should not be enlisted in a smear campaign.” Legal experts have raised the possibility of criminal charges, citing potential breaches of UK data protection laws, and urged a broader investigation into royal misconduct.

As the Metropolitan Police probe deepens, the House of Windsor faces renewed pressure to distance itself from Andrew’s scandals. With Giuffre’s memoir poised to keep the story alive and public frustration over royal privilege mounting, the monarchy is at a crossroads.

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