Giuffre Family Expresses Deep Disappointment as UK Police Decline New Inquiry Into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Claims
London’s Metropolitan Police conclude review of bodyguard allegation with no further action, prompting a strong rebuke from Virginia Giuffre’s relatives
The family of Virginia Giuffre, the late American woman whose allegations against Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor drew international attention, voiced profound disappointment after London’s Metropolitan Police announced they would not open a new criminal investigation into claims involving the former royal.
The decision, announced on Saturday, follows an assessment by police of media reports alleging that Mountbatten-Windsor had in 2011 asked a taxpayer-funded protection officer to gather information on Giuffre, a claim the force said lacked evidence of criminal conduct or misconduct.
The announcement drew an immediate and emotional response from Giuffre’s relatives, who said they had been in recent contact with investigators and were unaware that the matter would be closed.
Giuffre, who died by suicide in April at the age of forty-one, had accused Mountbatten-Windsor of sexually exploiting her when she was a teenager in circumstances linked to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, allegations he has consistently denied.
In a 2022 civil settlement in the United States, Mountbatten-Windsor reached an out-of-court agreement with Giuffre without admitting wrongdoing, while acknowledging her suffering as a victim of sex trafficking.
Following renewed public scrutiny, King Charles III stripped his brother of his royal title in October, part of broader efforts to distance the monarchy from the Epstein-linked controversy.
Responding to the police decision, Giuffre’s family said they were “deeply disappointed” and believed that justice had not been served, noting that they had recently been asked to provide additional evidence without any indication that the investigation would be halted.
They also pointed to the impending release of Epstein-related files in the United States, expressing surprise that British authorities chose not to await potential new material that could inform the case.
The family’s statement underscored their ongoing pursuit of accountability and their view that the decision represented a missed opportunity for further scrutiny of serious historical allegations connected to Giuffre’s abuse.
Metropolitan Police commanders emphasised that their review of the claim had not uncovered additional evidence meriting criminal charges, and that they remained open to assessing new information if it emerges.
The force’s position reflects the challenges of investigating alleged events that occurred over a decade ago, with some relevant records no longer extant and former officers unable to recall details from the period in question.
Giuffre’s posthumous memoir, released in October, has renewed public and legal interest in the allegations and broader Epstein network, but the Metropolitan Police’s announcement marks a significant moment in the UK dimension of the dispute.
The decision, announced on Saturday, follows an assessment by police of media reports alleging that Mountbatten-Windsor had in 2011 asked a taxpayer-funded protection officer to gather information on Giuffre, a claim the force said lacked evidence of criminal conduct or misconduct.
The announcement drew an immediate and emotional response from Giuffre’s relatives, who said they had been in recent contact with investigators and were unaware that the matter would be closed.
Giuffre, who died by suicide in April at the age of forty-one, had accused Mountbatten-Windsor of sexually exploiting her when she was a teenager in circumstances linked to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, allegations he has consistently denied.
In a 2022 civil settlement in the United States, Mountbatten-Windsor reached an out-of-court agreement with Giuffre without admitting wrongdoing, while acknowledging her suffering as a victim of sex trafficking.
Following renewed public scrutiny, King Charles III stripped his brother of his royal title in October, part of broader efforts to distance the monarchy from the Epstein-linked controversy.
Responding to the police decision, Giuffre’s family said they were “deeply disappointed” and believed that justice had not been served, noting that they had recently been asked to provide additional evidence without any indication that the investigation would be halted.
They also pointed to the impending release of Epstein-related files in the United States, expressing surprise that British authorities chose not to await potential new material that could inform the case.
The family’s statement underscored their ongoing pursuit of accountability and their view that the decision represented a missed opportunity for further scrutiny of serious historical allegations connected to Giuffre’s abuse.
Metropolitan Police commanders emphasised that their review of the claim had not uncovered additional evidence meriting criminal charges, and that they remained open to assessing new information if it emerges.
The force’s position reflects the challenges of investigating alleged events that occurred over a decade ago, with some relevant records no longer extant and former officers unable to recall details from the period in question.
Giuffre’s posthumous memoir, released in October, has renewed public and legal interest in the allegations and broader Epstein network, but the Metropolitan Police’s announcement marks a significant moment in the UK dimension of the dispute.
