LONDON (AP) — The British royal family faces renewed scrutiny as a memoir by Virginia Giuffre, one of Prince Andrew‘s and Jeffrey Epstein’s most vocal accusers, hits bookstores on Tuesday. The memoir, titled “Nobody’s Girl,” is posthumously published six months after Giuffre's tragic death by suicide in April.
Giuffre had long accused Prince Andrew of sexually abusing her on multiple occasions while she was under the age of 18, claiming she was a victim of sexual trafficking by Epstein and his former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell. The release of her memoir has not introduced new allegations but has reignited discussions surrounding the allegations against Andrew. The 65-year-old prince recently announced that he would cease using his titles, including Duke of York, while maintaining that he “vigorously” denies Giuffre’s claims.
Prior to its publication, Giuffre's book climbed to the top of Amazon's bestseller list, indicating significant public interest. In “Nobody’s Girl,” she recounts her first meeting with Prince Andrew in March 2001 and alleges that the royal’s staff attempted to hire “internet trolls” to harass her after she sued him in a previous lawsuit.
Giuffre maintains that she was introduced to Andrew at the age of 17 by Epstein and Maxwell. She alleges she was coerced into having sexual encounters with the prince on three separate occasions. During their initial meeting, she describes how Maxwell woke her up, proclaiming it would be a special day similar to “Cinderella,” and asserted that Andrew informed her he had daughters a little younger than her. She recounts that Maxwell instructed her to “do for him what you do for Jeffrey,” emphasizing the coercive environment she was placed in. Following their encounter, Giuffre claims that Epstein gave her $15,000 for the sexual encounter with Andrew.
Giuffre details a second sexual encounter with Andrew at Epstein’s home in New York approximately one month later, followed by a third encounter on Epstein’s private island in the Caribbean among a group of other girls she claims appeared to be underage.
In a related legal context, Giuffre previously detailed her allegations in a 2021 lawsuit filed in New York, which led to an out-of-court settlement reached with Prince Andrew in 2022 for an undisclosed amount. Although Andrew did not admit any wrongdoing, he acknowledged Giuffre's suffering as a victim of sex trafficking and promised to make a donation to her charity.
Reflecting on the settlement, Giuffre expressed discontent regarding the manner in which Andrew's team had undermined her credibility for years, mentioning attempts to hire internet trolls to discredit her. She sought a meaningful acknowledgment of her experiences rather than a formal confession of guilt, recognizing the intentions behind such settlements.
Andrew, the second son of the late Queen Elizabeth II, stepped down from public duties and charity roles in 2019 after his attempts to distance himself from Epstein backfired. His infamous BBC interview, where he provided implausible explanations regarding his relationship with Epstein, drew widespread criticism. He also denied having sexual contact with Giuffre and claimed to have “no recollection” of their meeting, alongside asserting that he had “absolutely no memory” of a widely circulated photograph of them together.
Recent developments include leaked emails suggesting that Andrew maintained contact with Epstein longer than he previously admitted. A message dated February 28, 2011, indicated Andrew's intention to support Epstein during a tumultuous period. Furthermore, the Metropolitan Police in London are currently investigating reports that Andrew allegedly requested a police officer assigned as his bodyguard to inquire about Giuffre’s criminal history in 2011.
As the memoir and surrounding allegations gain traction in the media, the royal family finds itself once again in the spotlight, navigating the implications of these serious claims against a long-standing member.
