Detectives investigating former Prince Andrew over allegations of sexual offenses are preparing to travel to the United States to interview relatives of Virginia Giuffre, one of his accusers, sources have confirmed.
Investigation Details
The Metropolitan Police team, led by officers from the specialist crime command, will visit the US in the coming weeks to speak with family members of Giuffre, who has accused Andrew of sexually assaulting her when she was a teenager. The move marks a significant escalation in the inquiry, which was launched in 2021 following renewed public attention on the prince's association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Giuffre, now 41, has alleged that Andrew forced her to have sex with him on three occasions in 2001, when she was 17 – below the age of consent under US law. Andrew has consistently denied the allegations, and no charges have been brought against him. The prince, who stepped back from royal duties in 2019, has faced increasing legal and reputational pressure.
Legal and Diplomatic Context
The police visit to the US is understood to be part of a mutual legal assistance request, which requires coordination with US authorities. The Met has not yet formally interviewed Giuffre herself, but sources indicate that detectives aim to gather testimony from her relatives who may have knowledge of the events. A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: 'We continue to investigate allegations of sexual offenses linked to Jeffrey Epstein. Detectives are pursuing all reasonable lines of inquiry, including speaking with witnesses overseas.'
The investigation has been complicated by Andrew's royal status and the lack of a formal complaint from Giuffre in the UK. However, police have the power to investigate offenses committed abroad if the suspect is a British national. Andrew, 65, has not been arrested or questioned under caution, but his legal team has been in contact with the Met.
Wider Epstein Network
The inquiry is part of a broader global probe into Epstein's network, which has implicated numerous high-profile figures. Epstein, a financier, died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. His associate Ghislaine Maxwell, a British socialite, was convicted in 2021 for helping him recruit and abuse minors and is serving a 20-year sentence.
Giuffre has also filed a civil lawsuit against Andrew in the US, which was settled out of court in 2022 for an undisclosed sum. The prince did not admit liability. The Met's decision to seek evidence from Giuffre's relatives suggests that the criminal investigation remains active, despite the civil settlement.
Buckingham Palace has declined to comment on the ongoing police inquiry. A source close to Andrew said: 'The duke continues to cooperate fully with any legitimate legal process and maintains his innocence.'
