Met Police review 2011 claim Andrew sought Giuffre data

You’ll be hearing a lot about this today. The Metropolitan Police say they’re reviewing media reports that, in 2011, Prince Andrew asked a police protection officer to look into Virginia Giuffre using her date of birth and US Social Security number. The Times reports the force is “reviewing the new claims”; the Evening Standard summarises the emails said to underpin them. There is no suggestion the officer acted on the request. Andrew has not commented and has always denied wrongdoing.

Let’s pause on policing language. When the Met say they are “reviewing” claims, that is not the same as launching a criminal investigation. It’s an initial assessment of what’s been reported and whether there’s anything to pursue. In earlier rounds, including in 2021, the Met reviewed sexual assault allegations linked to Epstein and said they would take no further action. Today’s review concerns a different issue: whether a royal protection resource was being asked to do something outside its role.

Why does 2011 keep coming up? Because that’s when the now‑famous photo of Andrew with then‑17‑year‑old Virginia Roberts (Giuffre) first appeared - and because fresh reporting shows an email Andrew allegedly sent Jeffrey Epstein the very next day. In that message, he wrote: “We are in this together … keep in close touch and we’ll play some more soon!!!!” That sits awkwardly with his 2019 claim that he cut contact in December 2010.

You may also see headlines about titles. On Friday 17 October 2025, Andrew said he would stop using his remaining titles and honours - including “Duke of York” and his Order of the Garter honour - after discussions with the King. This is about usage, not legal removal. He remains a prince by birth and, in law, retains the dukedom unless Parliament acts or formal steps are taken.

A quick explainer we can all teach with: “stopping use” means you don’t style yourself with those titles in public life. “Stripping” a peerage is rare and usually needs legislation. Separately, Andrew had already lost the use of “HRH” in 2022 and was stripped of his military affiliations and royal patronages that January. He has not carried out official duties since 2019.

What do protection officers actually do? The Met’s Royalty & Specialist Protection (RaSP) teams provide armed close protection for royals and senior ministers. They plan routes, secure venues and keep principals safe at home and on the move. They are not private detectives for principals - any use of policing powers or information must be lawful and proportionate.

Context on Virginia Giuffre matters here. She alleged Epstein trafficked her and that Andrew forced her to have sex on three occasions in 2001 - which he denies. Giuffre died by suicide in Western Australia in April 2025, as reported by US outlets, and her posthumous memoir, Nobody’s Girl, is due for publication on Tuesday 21 October.

Two things to separate clearly. First, civil law: Andrew settled Giuffre’s US civil case in 2022 without admitting liability. Second, criminal law: Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s associate, was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in 2022 by a US federal court. Epstein died in jail in 2019. Different processes, different standards of proof.

So what might happen next? A Met “review” can end with no action, a referral for misconduct assessment, or the opening of a criminal inquiry if evidence justifies it. Because some claims involve US identifiers, any potential offences could straddle UK–US jurisdictions - which typically leads to liaison between agencies rather than fast public updates.

Media literacy check for your classroom or study group: when you read that Andrew has “given up” the Duke of York title, ask whether the piece means usage or legal status. When you see “police probe”, look for the exact wording from the force - review, assessment, or investigation - and who’s saying it. Those terms signal very different stages.

One more point of care. Western Australia Police described Giuffre’s March crash as a minor incident with no injuries reported at the time; her family later said her condition worsened and she was hospitalised. It’s a reminder to wait for verified updates when health and safeguarding issues are reported.

If you’re teaching or discussing this and someone is struggling, keep support front and centre. In the UK you can contact Samaritans on 116 123 or text SHOUT to 85258. In the US, dial or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Talking about abuse and loss can be heavy; we look after each other while we learn.