Question
Was Prince Andrew ever criminally charged for his association with Epstein?
Answer
No. Prince Andrew has not been criminally charged in the United Kingdom, the United States, or any other jurisdiction in connection with Jeffrey Epstein’s trafficking network.
The civil lawsuit: Virginia Giuffre filed a civil lawsuit against Prince Andrew in August 2021 in the Southern District of New York under New York’s Child Victims Act. She alleged he sexually abused her on three occasions beginning when she was 17: in London, in New York at Epstein’s townhouse, and on Little Saint James.
Andrew denied all allegations and attempted to have the case dismissed on several grounds, including arguments about Giuffre’s prior settlement with Epstein. Federal Judge Lewis Kaplan denied the dismissal motion in January 2022.
In February 2022, before any deposition or trial, Andrew and Giuffre reached a settlement. The terms included a reported payment (widely cited as $10–12 million, though not officially confirmed), Andrew’s public acknowledgment of Giuffre’s “bravery” in coming forward, and a charitable donation to a trafficking victims’ organization.
No criminal investigation: Metropolitan Police in the UK reviewed whether there was basis for a criminal investigation and publicly stated they would not investigate, citing jurisdictional and evidentiary grounds. U.S. federal prosecutors made no public announcement of any criminal investigation of Andrew.
His position: Andrew’s royal duties were suspended before the settlement. He did not return to public royal duties following the settlement.
Sources
Virginia Giuffre v. Prince Andrew, SDNY (2021–2022); Judge Kaplan’s January 2022 ruling denying dismissal; settlement announcement February 2022; Metropolitan Police statement on non-investigation; Royal Family statements on Andrew’s duties.