Could Andrew ever be prosecuted?
The Met Police say they are actively looking into allegations that Andrew tried to use his police bodyguard to smear his accuser.
And legal experts say the allegations could also prompt a criminal investigation in the US.
Jane Dalton30 October 2025 21:21
More likely Andrew will face investigation now, says historian
Historian Andrew Lownie, author of The Rise and Fall of the House of York, said he believed the palace distancing itself from Andrew would increase the chances the former prince would be investigated.
“I’ve been saying for some time that they’re going to throw Andrew under the bus to save themselves and this is the first indication of that,” he told the BBC.
“This should have been done years ago.
“There were opportunities in 2019, 2022, and I think it’s been Virginia Giuffre’s book, some of the recent press disclosures, the fact that I kind of pulled a lot of this together in my book, I think has kind of made the palace realise that there is a big problem here.”
Jane Dalton30 October 2025 21:05
Read King Charles’ statement in full
Jane Dalton30 October 2025 20:55
Action is victory for Virginia Giuffre, her family say
The family of Andrew’s main accuser Virginia Giuffre have said that “today, she declares a victory” and that she “brought down a British prince with her truth and extraordinary courage.”
The statement, given to the BBC, read: “Today, an ordinary American girl from an ordinary American family brought down a British prince with her truth and extraordinary courage.
“Virginia Roberts Giuffre, our sister, a child when she was sexually assaulted by Andrew, never stopped fighting for accountability for what had happened to her and countless other survivors like her.
“Today, she declares a victory.
“We, her family, along with her survivor sisters, continue Virginia’s battle and will not rest until the same accountability applies to all of her abusers and abetters, connected to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.”
Sky and Amanda Roberts, Ms Giuffre’s brother and sister-in-law (Channel 4)
Jane Dalton30 October 2025 20:44
Giuffre memoir sealed Andrew’s fate
Andrew’s friendship and association with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein had been known for years, but it was the publication this month of Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir, Nobody’s Girl, that reignited public anger and brought matters to a head.
Among her claims was that Andrew behaved as though he believed having sex with her was his birthright.
Jane Dalton30 October 2025 20:38
Not all over for Andrew, historian warns
Historian Andrew Lownie, author of The Rise and Fall of the House of York, said Buckingham Palace were “finally getting ahead of the story”, but said of Andrew: “I don’t think it’s all over for him.”
Mr Lownie told the BBC: “They’re finally getting ahead of the story.
“I don’t think it’s the end of it, I think there are many more disclosures to come, but at least they’re taking some decisive action. And I think that’s good.
“I’m not sure it will completely satisfy the public disquiet, but it’s at least something.
“I do think that there are grounds for Andrew to be investigated and, if necessary, charged on a whole variety of things ranging from misconduct in public office to some of the sexual trafficking rules.
“So, I don’t think it’s all over for him, but at least the palace seemed to be getting ahead of the story, rather than reacting to it.”
Jane Dalton30 October 2025 20:22
From Queen’s favourite to Epstein claims: Timeline of scandals
Jane Dalton30 October 2025 20:14
King will provide ‘appropriate’ funding for Andrew
Andrew will receive an “appropriate” private provision from the King, it is understood.
Any other sources of income will be a matter for the former duke.
In 2021 a royal finance expert said: “Prince Andrew’s finances are shrouded in a pea soup of impenetrability.”
Jane Dalton30 October 2025 20:00
Ex-wife Sarah Ferguson will also quit Royal Lodge
Andrew’s ex-wife Sarah Ferguson will also move out of the Royal Lodge and will sort her own living arrangements.
The couple were living there together despite being divorced in 1996.
Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson remained close after their divorce and live together at Royal Lodge (Chris Jackson/PA) (PA Archive)
Jane Dalton30 October 2025 19:55
Andrew’s position had become untenable, says LibDem leader
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has backed the King in his decision to remove Andrew’s titles.
He said: “The King is absolutely right to strip Prince Andrew of both his titles and his residence at the Royal Lodge.
“It’s clear that Andrew’s position had become totally untenable, having disgraced his office and embarrassed the country.
“This is an important step towards rebuilding trust in our institutions and drawing a line under this whole sorry saga.”
Jane Dalton30 October 2025 19:47
