Andrew ifrågasätter polisens agerande i Epstein-utredning

The relationship of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (formerly Prince Andrew, Duke of York) with the American financier and convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has remained a source of sustained controversy with significant ramifications for the British royal family. According to Andrew, the pair were introduced in 1999 by Epstein's associate Ghislaine Maxwell (who was convicted of child sex crimes in 2021), and socialised in high-profile circles, with Epstein attending events at Windsor Castle and Sandringham House. Maxwell disputes this claim, claiming Sarah Ferguson introduced him to Epstein. Their association came under heightened scrutiny following Epstein's conviction in 2008 for procuring a minor for prostitution. Andrew nevertheless visited him in New York in 2010 after his release from prison. The controversy intensified with serious allegations from Virginia Giuffre, who claimed she had been trafficked by Epstein and Maxwell and forced to have sexual relations with Andrew on three occasions in the early 2000s, beginning when she was 17. Andrew has consistently and categorically denied the allegations, stating in an interview in 2019 with Newsnight on the BBC that he had no recollection of ever meeting Giuffre. The interview was widely criticised and regarded as damaging to his credibility. The ensuing public backlash and mounting pressure led to Andrew stepping back from public royal duties in November 2019, and in January 2022 his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, removed his military affiliations and his use of the style "His Royal Highness". A civil lawsuit filed by Giuffre in the United States was settled out of court in February 2022 for an undisclosed sum, with Andrew making a payment to Giuffre without any admission of liability. Giuffre died by suicide in April 2025. In October 2025, amid renewed scrutiny of his association with Epstein following the release of Giuffre's posthumous memoir Nobody's Girl, a formal process to remove Andrew's remaining styles, titles and honours was initiated by his brother King Charles III. Emails released in February 2026 as part of the Epstein files also appear to show that, between 2010 and 2011, Andrew may have shared confidential information with Epstein relating to his official work as trade envoy. Later that month, he was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office and released under investigation.