Recently disclosed correspondence has shed light on a concerted effort by a senior royal to gather personal information on a woman who accused him of serious misconduct. The emails, dated from 2011, indicate that the individual provided a police officer with the American Social Security number and date of birth of his accuser, Virginia Giuffre, with a request to investigate her background.
This request was allegedly made to a personal protection officer from the Metropolitan Police. The royal is quoted in the correspondence as suggesting the accuser had a criminal record in the United States, a claim for which he purportedly supplied her personal identifiers to facilitate a check.
It remains officially unconfirmed whether the police officer acted upon this request. However, the emergence of these communications has prompted significant concern. A senior government official described the details as “deeply concerning” and indicated the allegations would be subject to review.
The accuser, who died earlier this year, had been a central figure in a high-profile scandal involving the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. She had publicly alleged that the royal was involved in Epstein’s activities and had sexually assaulted her while she was underage—allegations he has consistently and vigorously denied.
In a past televised interview, the royal stated he had no memory of ever meeting the woman. He has also expressed regret over his past association with Epstein, calling it a failure to uphold the standards expected of his position.
The released emails have drawn a strong response from the accuser’s family. They stated the correspondence reveals the extent to which individuals will go to discredit those who come forward, asserting that the truth cannot remain hidden.
This development follows the royal’s earlier decision, made in consultation with the monarch, to relinquish his military affiliations and royal patronages. In a public statement at that time, he cited a desire to avoid distracting from the public duties of the royal family, while maintaining his denial of all accusations against him.
The latest revelations are expected to intensify scrutiny of the case and the conduct it describes.
