Calls for an investigation into Prince Andrew intensified after he was named in court filings linked to Jeffrey Epstein that were opened on Wednesday night, but British police say there are no plans for an investigation at this time.
On Friday, the Metropolitan Police said in a statement: “We are aware of the release of court documents relating to Jeffrey Epstein. As with any other case, if new and relevant information comes to our attention, we will assess it. No investigation has been launched,” according to Sky News.
The anti-monarchy group Republic, which has protested against a number of royal events throughout the year, including the coronation of King Charles in May, is among those calling for an investigation.
“Police have investigated countless historical sex crimes based on victim allegations. But not Andrew. They must open an investigation NOW,” Republic wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday following a statement from the Metropolitan Police.
Republican protesters at King Charles’ coronation May 6, 2023 Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Why King Charles can’t strip Prince Andrew of royal titles amid Epstein dossier revelations
UK police previously said they would not take action against Prince Andrew in 2021 after Virginia Giuffre filed a civil sexual assault claim against the royal family. Giuffre’s lawsuit alleged that Prince Andrew forced her to have sex with him three times between 1999 and 2002 — allegations that Queen Elizabeth’s son, now 63, has steadfastly denied.
The documents released this week stem from a lawsuit Giuffre filed in 2015 against Epstein, who died by suicide while awaiting trial on federal conspiracy and sex trafficking charges. In the filings, plaintiff Johanna Sjoberg claims Prince Andrew put his hand on her breast while posing for a group photo with Giuffre, Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell and a doll that looked like Andrew.
Prince Andrew has previously admitted to knowing Epstein but has denied any wrongdoing.
In 2019, Prince Andrew gave a bombshell interview to the BBC, where he also said he “doesn’t remember ever meeting” Giuffre. When reporter Emily Maitlis raised the issue of the photo showing the royal with his arm around Giuffre’s waist, he claimed: “I have absolutely no recollection of that photo ever being taken.”
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Queen Elizabeth and Prince Andrew at Trooping the Color 2019. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
After the interview, Prince Andrew announced his decision to “retire from public duties”.
“Over the past few days it has become clear to me that the circumstances surrounding my former relationship with Jeffrey Epstein have become a major disruption to my family’s work and the valuable work that goes on in the many organizations and charities that I am proud to support. “, he stated in the press release. “I therefore asked Her Majesty if I could retire from public duties in due course and she gave her permission.”
“I still unequivocally regret my ill-judged relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. His suicide left many unanswered questions, especially for his victims, and I feel deeply for everyone who was affected and wants some form of closure. I can only hope that in time they will be able to rebuild their lives. I am of course willing to assist any appropriate law enforcement agencies in their investigations, if necessary.”
After Giuffre filed a civil sexual assault lawsuit, Queen Elizabeth stripped Prince Andrew of his military titles and patronage in 2022. The decision to strip his son of his title and affiliation was “widely discussed” in the senior ranks of the royal family, a royal source confirmed to PEOPLE, likely meaning discussions between Queen Elizabeth, then-Prince Charles and Prince William.
An out-of-court settlement was reached in February 2022 for an undisclosed amount.
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Prince Andrew and King Charles. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty
Despite stepping down from public office, Prince Andrew has retained his title as Duke of York and retained his place in the line of succession to the throne, currently eighth behind Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s two children.
Prince Andrew also continued to attend family events. He recently joined the royal family during their annual Christmas outing to church.
It is unlikely that King Charles, 75, would try to strip his younger brother of royal status or titles, as their mother did not take that step before her death in September 2022. But Gert’s Royals the blog reports that the king does not have the power to remove royal titles.
“Parliament can remove titles. But it will be difficult for them to do so in this case. The legislature (Parliament) or the executive (Committee on Deprivation of Honours) has no authority to decide whether someone is guilty of a crime,” the blog said. on X. It is the job of the judicial authorities (courts) to determine whether someone is guilty. And then other branches can act on that decision. And since there have never been any charges or convictions against Prince Andrew, he is innocent in the eyes of the British government.”
There is currently a draft law that would allow the monarch to have the power to remove titles, but it would have to go through several steps to be passed.
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Aside from his titles, Prince Andrew’s retirement from royal life has been a topic of conversation that has promoted some changes. Prince Andrew — like Prince Harry, who moved to California in 2020 after stepping down from his senior royal role — was one of King Charles’s advisers of state, members of the royal family who can deputize for the monarch on official duties if he is abroad or bad. These roles are filled by the monarch’s consort and the first four people in the line of succession to the throne who are over the age of 21, which were Queen Camilla, Prince William, Prince Harry, Prince Andrew and Andrew’s older daughter, Princess Beatrice.
Britain’s parliament has decided to appoint Princess Anne and Prince Edward as additional advisers of state in December 2022. The bill was “fast-tracked” through both houses to avoid the possibility of an “awkward constitutional problem” involving Prince Andrew and Prince Harry, the BBC reported.
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Source: HIS Education