Prince Harry Labels Andrew's Epstein Sex Scandal "Shameful" in Spare Memoir

In his 2023 memoir Spare, Britain’s Prince Harry made a pointed reference to what he described as the “shameful scandal” surrounding his uncle, the former Prince Andrew — a passage that has resurfaced amid renewed scrutiny of Andrew’s links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The renewed attention follows the release by the United States Department of Justice of nearly three million additional documents linked to the Epstein investigation. The latest tranche has once again highlighted Andrew’s long-standing association with Epstein, who ran a global sex-trafficking operation involving underage girls. The disclosures have reignited public anger and placed fresh focus on how the British royal family handled the fallout.

In Spare, Prince Harry — the younger son of King Charles III — did not dwell extensively on the allegations themselves, but used Andrew’s case to contrast how different members of the royal family were treated by palace authorities. Harry wrote that despite Andrew being accused of sexually assaulting a young woman, his uncle continued to receive taxpayer-funded security protection. This, Harry noted, stood in sharp contrast to the decision to withdraw security from him and his wife, Meghan Markle, after they stepped back as senior working royals.

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Harry recalled a conversation with Meghan in which she questioned whether their security could ever be removed. At the time, Harry said he believed it was unthinkable — particularly given the intense public hostility they faced and the legacy of his mother, Princess Diana. He added that Andrew’s situation reinforced that belief, writing that no one had even suggested stripping Andrew of his security despite the seriousness of the allegations against him.

“Also, not in the wake of my Uncle Andrew,” Harry wrote. “He was embroiled in a shameful scandal, accused of the sexual assault of a young woman, and no one had so much as suggested that he lose his security. Whatever grievances people had against us, sex crimes weren’t on the list.”

Harry’s remarks were a clear reference to accusations made by Virginia Giuffre, who alleged that Epstein trafficked her to Prince Andrew on three occasions in the early 2000s, when she was 17 years old. Giuffre filed a civil lawsuit against Andrew in the United States, which was settled out of court in February 2022 for an undisclosed sum. Andrew denied the allegations and made no admission of liability as part of the settlement.

The timing of Harry and Meghan’s security downgrade added to the controversy. In February 2020, the UK’s Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (RAVEC) ruled that the couple would no longer receive full, publicly funded protection during visits to Britain. The decision came just weeks after Harry and Meghan announced in January 2020 that they would step down from royal duties and relocate to North America.

Andrew’s ties to Epstein, meanwhile, have continued to haunt the monarchy. The former prince maintained a close relationship with Epstein even after the financier’s 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution — a fact that intensified public outrage in the UK. In 2022, Queen Elizabeth II stripped Andrew of his military affiliations and royal patronages and barred him from using the “His Royal Highness” style in an official capacity.

Following King Charles III’s accession to the throne, further action was taken. In 2025, Andrew was reportedly removed of his remaining royal styles and honours, and can no longer be formally referred to as “Prince.” Despite these measures, critics argue that the institution has still failed to fully reckon with the scandal.

Public anger has sharpened again with the latest Epstein document release, which includes disturbing images and testimonies linked to Andrew’s association with Epstein. Against this backdrop, Harry’s words in Spare have taken on renewed significance, offering a rare glimpse into how the scandal was viewed within the royal family — and underscoring the deep sense of grievance Harry has expressed about unequal treatment behind palace walls.

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