Prince Andrew at King Charles' coronation on May 6, 2023.Photo:Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty
Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty
Calls for an investigation intoPrince Andrewintensified after he wasnamed in court filingstied toJeffrey Epsteinthat were unsealed Wednesday night, but British police say there are no plans for a probe at this time.
On Friday, the Metropolitan Police said in a statement, “We are aware of the release of court documents in relation to Jeffrey Epstein. As with any matter, should new and relevant information be brought to our attention we will assess it. No investigation has been launched,” according toSky News.
Anti-monarchy group Republic, which hasprotested numerous royal eventsthroughout the year includingKing Charles' coronation in May, is among those calling for an investigation.
“The police have investigated countless historic sex offences on the strength of accusations from victims. But not Andrew. They must open an investigation NOW,” Republicwrote on X(formerly Twitter) on Friday following the Metropolitan Police’s statement.
Republic protestors at King Charles' coronation on May 6, 2023.Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty
The U.K. policepreviously said they would not be taking actionagainst Prince Andrew in 2021 after Virginia Giuffre filed a civil sexual abuse lawsuit against the royal. Giuffre’slawsuitclaimed that Prince Andrew forced her to have sex with him three separate times between 1999 and 2002 — accusationsQueen Elizabeth’s son, now 63, has consistently denied.
Prince Andrew previously admitted to knowing Epstein but has denied any wrongdoing.
In 2019, Prince Andrew sat down for abombshell interview with the BBC, where he also said he had “no recollection of ever meeting" Giuffre. When journalist Emily Maitlis raised the issue of a photo showing the royal with his arm around Giuffre’s waist, he claimed, “I have absolutely no memory of that photograph ever being taken.”
“It has become clear to me over the last few days that the circumstances relating to my former association with Jeffrey Epstein has become a major disruption to my family’s work and the valuable work going on in the many organisations and charities that I am proud to support,” he said in the statement. “Therefore, I have asked Her Majesty if I may step back from public duties for the foreseeable future, and she has given her permission.”
“I continue to unequivocally regret my ill-judged association with Jeffrey Epstein. His suicide has left many unanswered questions, particularly for his victims, and I deeply sympathise with everyone who has been affected and wants some form of closure. I can only hope that, in time, they will be able to rebuild their lives. Of course, I am willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required."
An out-of-courtsettlementfor an undisclosed amount was reached in February 2022.
Despite his step back from public duty, Prince Andrew retained his title as the Duke of York and kept his place in theline of succession to the throne, currently eighth behindPrince HarryandMeghan Markle’s two children.
Prince Andrew has also continued to attend family events. Most recently, hejoined the royal family during their annual Christmas Day outingto church.
It’s unlikely that King Charles, 75, would attempt to remove his younger brother’s royal status or titles, as their mother did not take that step before her death in Sept. 2022. But theGert’s Royalsblog reports that the King doesn’t have the power to remove the royal titles.
“Parliament can remove titles. But they will find it difficult in this case. The legislative branch (Parliament) or executive branch (Honors Forfeiture Committee) don’t have the powers to decide if someone is guilty of a crime,” the blog said on X. It is the judicial branch (Courts)’s job to determine if someone is guilty. And then other branches can act on that decision. And since there have never been any charges or conviction against Prince Andrew, in the eyes of the U.K. government, he is innocent."
There is currently abillthat would enable a monarch to have the power to remove titles, but it would have to go through several steps to be enacted.
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British Parliament decidedto makePrincess AnneandPrince Edwardadditional Counsellors of State in Dec. 2022. The legislation was “fast-tracked” through both houses to avoid the potential for “an awkward constitutional problem” involving Prince Andrew and Prince Harry, theBBCreported.
source: people.com
