Met Police: no action on Andrew–Giuffre bodyguard claim
Content note: this article mentions sexual abuse and suicide. London’s Metropolitan Police say they will take no further action over claims that Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor asked a police protection officer to seek information about Virginia Giuffre in 2011. The force said a fresh assessment found no additional evidence of criminal acts or misconduct. This is a moment to pause, read carefully, and understand what “no further action” means in UK policing.
When police say “no further action” (often shortened to NFA), it is not a verdict of innocence or guilt. It means, on the evidence currently available, the case won’t proceed to a criminal investigation or charge. Police can-and do-reopen cases if new, relevant information appears. The Crown Prosecution Service’s guidance makes clear that if the evidential stage of the Code Test is not met, police may record NFA; if new material later meets that threshold, action can resume.
Where did the claim come from? In October, UK media reported leaked 2011 emails suggesting that the then‑prince shared Ms Giuffre’s date of birth and US Social Security number with a protection officer, hours before a newspaper ran an image of the pair. There is no suggestion the officer acted on the request. The Met reviewed the reports and, on Saturday 13 December 2025, said there was still no evidence of criminality or misconduct.
Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor has not commented on the latest allegation but has long denied wrongdoing. In his 2019 BBC Newsnight interview, he said he had “no recollection” of meeting Ms Giuffre and that they never had any sexual contact. Those denials remain his public position.
He settled a US civil lawsuit with Ms Giuffre in 2022, avoiding a trial and making no admission of liability. Settlements close civil claims; they do not determine criminal guilt. Andrew also acknowledged Ms Giuffre’s suffering as an established victim of abuse.
Ms Giuffre died by suicide in April 2025. Her family have said they are deeply disappointed by the Met’s decision and by not being consulted before it was announced. If this story affects you, support is available: in the UK, contact Samaritans on 116 123; in the US, call or text 988.
Let’s slow down on law terms you’ll see in coverage. Criminal cases need evidence that convinces a court beyond reasonable doubt. Civil cases weigh the balance of probabilities-more likely than not. UK charging decisions apply the CPS Full Code Test: if evidence does not reach that bar, police or prosecutors may record NFA until or unless stronger material emerges. This is why an NFA decision today can change if new evidence is produced tomorrow.
Andrew’s public status has changed this year. On 6 November 2025, letters patent recorded in The Gazette confirmed King Charles III had removed his brother’s “prince” title and HRH style; major outlets report the Duke of York title was also withdrawn. These steps followed months of renewed scrutiny linked to Epstein‑related disclosures.
Housing is shifting too. Andrew has served notice to surrender his Royal Lodge lease; on paper that gives him until 30 October 2026 to vacate, though he is expected to relocate to smaller accommodation on the Sandringham estate earlier next year. That timetable sits alongside ongoing questions about the Crown Estate lease terms.
Another moving part: US transparency law. The Epstein Files Transparency Act became public law on 19 November 2025 and requires the US Department of Justice to publish unclassified records within 30 days-by 19 December. The Met says it will assess any new, relevant information that emerges from US releases.
Photos spark headlines but need context. US House Oversight Committee Democrats have begun releasing images supplied by Epstein’s estate, including one showing Andrew with Bill Gates at a 2018 Malaria Summit. The version circulated this week was cropped; the original news‑wire frame includes King Charles. Being pictured with someone is not proof of a crime-it’s a prompt to ask better questions about dates, places and sources.
Finally, a media‑literacy reminder you can carry into class: “no further action” is an operational decision, not a clean bill of health; civil settlements close lawsuits but don’t settle the truth; and leaked emails or cropped photos are starting points, not conclusions. Our job as readers is to keep testing claims against sources-and to remember the human cost behind the headlines.