The Royal Family believes the allegations against Prince Andrew “should be examined properly and most fully,” a Buckingham Palace source has confirmed.
The statement follows Prince Andrew’s announcement on Friday that he was relinquishing the use of his royal titles and honours amid ongoing scrutiny over sexual abuse claims.
The palace source explained that the decision was taken due to “what lies at the heart of this, the broader allegations and the issues highlighted.”
While Prince Andrew continues to deny all allegations against him, the source stressed that the “new allegations that have been brought up” are of “very serious and grave concern” and warrant thorough investigation.
The latest claims emerged over the weekend, suggesting that in 2011, Prince Andrew asked a royal close protection officer to “dig up dirt” on Virginia Giuffre, the woman who accused him of sexual abuse.
Ms Giuffre’s posthumous autobiography was released this week, months after her death by suicide in April, bringing renewed attention to her allegations.
In response to the claims, the Metropolitan Police said it is “actively looking into the claims,” with sources indicating that the officer allegedly approached by Andrew may still be serving within the Royal Protection unit.
Sources told Sky News that royal protection officers are typically expected to escalate requests of this nature to their superiors, meaning other senior figures within the force may have been aware of the alleged incident.
The palace source noted that any attempt to misuse police databases to target an innocent individual would have been unlawful and could have led to dismissal, highlighting the serious implications of such actions.
It is understood that Prince William and Queen Elizabeth II played key roles in ensuring that the institution responded appropriately, aiming to uphold public trust and demonstrate accountability.
The source added that the Royal Family is “not ones for self-pity” and that the ongoing situation is “upsetting, not in terms of themselves, but it is distracting from some significant visits this week and communities that need support and to be celebrated.”
Calls are now mounting for Prince Andrew to be formally stripped of his remaining honours and titles.
Currently, while he has relinquished their use, the honours are still officially extant.
Removing the Duke of York title or other peerages would require an act of parliament. However, the King could revoke honours such as the Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order or membership of the Order of the Garter.
Members of the Order of the Garter are traditionally represented by a banner flag and an enamelled brass plate in the Choir at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. The decision on whether Prince Andrew’s honours will be formally removed is yet to be confirmed.
The palace’s statement underscores the importance of transparency and proper scrutiny in handling allegations against senior members of the Royal Family, reflecting broader public concern over accountability.
For those affected by the sensitive subject matter or experiencing distress, support is available. In the UK, Samaritans can be contacted at 116 123 or via email at jo@samaritans.org. In the US, individuals can call 1 (800) 273-TALK.
Editing by M10News Royal Desk | Contact: royal@m10news.com
© 2025 M10News. All rights reserved. Unauthorised reproduction is prohibited
If you want, I can also craft a stronger headline and 4 sh
