Editor’s Note: This article contains discussions of suicide. Reader discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, you can find resources in your area on the National Crisis Line website or by calling 988. 

(NewsNation) — Prince Andrew’s controversial relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has been a persistent headache for the royal family, years after he stepped down from his royal duties.  

As advocates and lawmakers continue to push for the release of files related to the Epstein investigation, renewed focus has been placed on Andrew’s relationship with the disgraced financier.

Prince Andrew’s BBC interview gone wrong  

Andrew’s relationship with Epstein hit a fever pitch in 2019 when Andrew sat down for a disastrous BBC interview with “Newsnight” to address their friendship and quell public criticism.  

During the interview, Andrew was questioned as to why he maintained a relationship with the financier following Epstein’s 2009 release from prison after pleading guilty to charges of soliciting a prostitute and of solicitation of prostitution with a minor under the age of 18.  

Andrew had reportedly ceased contact with Epstein in 2006 after news broke that Epstein was under investigation but reestablished contact with him in 2010, when he was seen at Epstein’s New York City mansion, according to The Guardian.

Andrew forced to step down by Queen Elizabeth II 

Following the interview, Queen Elizabeth II stripped her second-born son of his royal duties “for the foreseeable future,” The Guardian reported at the time.  

“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,” Andrew told The Guardian in a statement.  

Prince Andrew sued by Virginia Giuffre 

In 2021, Virginia Giuffre filed a lawsuit against Andrew, alleging he sexually abused her when she was a teenager.  

Giuffre said Epstein introduced her to Andrew in London in 2001. She alleged that Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell forced her to have sex with Andrew, NewsNation previously reported.  

Andrew denied ever meeting Giuffre and said the incident “didn’t happen.” 

In his BBC interview, he said he had “no recollection of ever meeting this lady” and that claims he danced with her before the reported assault were untrue because he isn’t able to sweat. 

Giuffre and Andrew reached a settlement “in principle” in 2022.  

In April, her family announced Giuffre died by suicide in Australia. 

Scotland Yard discontinues investigation

Unsealed Epstein documents were released in January 2024, and Andrew’s name was included alongside former President Bill Clinton, according to CNN.  

Despite the discovery, London’s Metropolitan Police chose not to investigate Andrew further because it had no new information, The Guardian reported.  

Prince Andrew kept in touch with Epstein after 2010 

In January, emails published in court documents from the U.K.’s Financial Conduct Authority showed Andrew was in contact with Epstein after claiming he ended their friendship in 2010, according to the BBC.

In a February 2011 email, Andrew reportedly wrote to Epstein, “Keep in close touch and we’ll play some more soon!!!!”  

Epstein died by suicide in a New York City jail in 2019 while awaiting trial.  

Prince Andrew gives up royal title

Following the posthumous publication of Giuffre’s memoir in October 2025 and amid continued scrutiny over his relationship with Epstein, Andrew gave up his title of the Duke of York.

Critics called for him to be officially stripped of the title, which would require an act of parliament. Liberal democrats also called for a parliamentary debate on his conduct.