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(NewsNation) — The Metropolitan Police said it is “actively looking” into reports that Prince Andrew tried to get personal information about accuser Virginia Giuffre through an officer in his police protection detail.
Leaked emails obtained by The Guardian suggest that Andrew passed his bodyguard Giuffre’s date of birth and Social Security number, claiming she had a criminal record in the U.S., an allegation her family has hit back against. There is no indication the officer followed through with Andrew’s request.
It is also not clear how Andrew obtained Giuffre’s Social Security number.
On Friday, Andrew gave up his royal titles, including as the Duke of York, after these allegations and his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein reentered the public eye. He’d already been stripped of his “His Royal Highness” title in 2019 by his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
“With His Majesty’s agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me,” Andrew said in a statement. He also denied all accusations against him.
What are the allegations against Prince Andrew?
In 2021, Virginia Giuffre filed a lawsuit against Andrew, alleging he sexually assaulted her as a teenager.
She said Epstein introduced her to Andrew as a teenager in London in 2001. She also alleged in the lawsuit that Epstein’s former girlfriend and associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, forced her to have sex with Andrew. He denied the accusations, saying he’d never met Giuffre and that the incident never happened.
Giuffre and Andrew settled the lawsuit in February 2022.
In April of 2025, Giuffre’s family said she died by suicide in Australia, where she’d been living for several years.
What are the legal implications Andrew faces?
Spencer Kuvin, a lawyer who represented nine of Epstein’s victims, told The Telegraph that Andrew could face a heavy jail sentence if he is convicted, saying that it’s a crime to knowingly transfer, possess or use, without consent, another person’s Social Security number.
“Penalties for this crime are very severe and can be up to 15 years in prison,” Kuvin said. He added that Andrew also violated the U.S. Social Security Act, which protects an individual’s information.
Sigrid McCawley, Giuffre’s former lawyer, has also called for a “thorough investigation” into the Met’s actions. Her family has called for Andrew to be formally stripped of his “Prince” title.
Buckingham Palace staff could also be questioned about what they knew about the sharing of Giuffre’s information.
What is the historical significance of the investigation?
Prince Andrew is currently facing becoming the first member of the royal family to be investigated by police in more than 20 years.
In 2002, Princess Anne became the first member of the Royal family to be charged and convicted of a criminal offense, according to CBC. Her bull terrier, Dotty, bit two children in a park, and she was fined 500 British Pounds, or the equivalent of $670 USD, for violating the Dangerous Dogs Act.