Prince Andrew is reportedly facing a private prosecution over allegations of sexual assault corruption, and misconduct in public office linked to the Virginia Giuffre scandal.
Campaign group Republic announced that it has instructed a law firm to investigate and, if warranted, begin court proceedings against the embattled royal — a move described as unprecedented.
The Metropolitan Police had previously looked into claims that Prince Andrew passed Ms. Giuffre’s date of birth and social security number to his taxpayer-funded bodyguard in 2011, allegedly instructing him to find compromising information about her.
The Duke, who has long faced public scrutiny for his association with Jeffrey Epstein, has consistently denied the accusations that he had s£x with Ms. Giuffre on three occasions after she was allegedly trafficked by Epstein at age 17.
Amid the ongoing fallout, Prince Andrew relinquished his Duke of York title and military honours ahead of the release of Ms. Giuffre’s memoirs.
Meanwhile, Ms. Giuffre’s brother and sister-in-law, Sky and Amanda Roberts, have called on the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to review Scotland Yard’s decision not to continue investigating the allegations.
Republic argues there is a “powerful, principled argument for justice” to ensure accountability for both victims of sexual abuse and those accused of misusing public office.
Republic’s Chief Executive, Graham Smith, said:
“If not us, then who?
It’s a devastating indictment on the UK’s criminal justice system, police and politicians — not to mention the King and heir — that we must resort to a private prosecution.
It should be a cause for concern that so many people believe — rightly in my view — that the royals are not treated equally in law. Equality in law is a basic tenet of democracy.”
Smith added that he believes there is “strong enough evidence to justify a serious investigation,” criticising authorities for “looking the other way.”
Reports indicate that Ms. Giuffre received up to £12 million in 2022 to settle her civil s£xual ass@ult case, though Prince Andrew has maintained he never met her.
The prince has also faced renewed backlash over his “peppercorn rent” arrangement at Royal Lodge, a 30-room Windsor mansion where he has lived for over two decades. Recent reports suggest that Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, have agreed to vacate the property in exchange for two separate residences.
The BBC also revealed that Andrew previously hosted Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and Harvey Weinstein at Royal Lodge prior to his daughter’s wedding — a revelation that has further fuelled public criticism.
