The Metropolitan Police Service in the UK has decided, for a third time, to drop its investigation into Prince Andrew.
Many were skeptical when they first learned Scotland Yard agreed to reconsider its two-time decision to not formally investigate accuser Virginia Giuffre's claims that she was sex-trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein to Prince Andrew, resulting in the Duke of York assaulting her when she was 17 years old.
Regardless of the determination, Prince Andrew continues to face civil charges in the United States over those same accusations. Meanwhile, speculation continues as to whether the Queen is shielding her supposed favorite child from the consequences of his own alleged actions.
The Metropolitan Police will no longer investigation Virginia Giuffre's sexual assault accusations against Prince Andrew. The announcement comes after an investigation was announced in August and authorities spoke with the now 38-year-old accuser.
With this decision, the Metropolitan Police has also decided to drop its look into claims that Jeffrey Epstein trafficked Giuffre, as well as other women, into Britain, where they were abused. While the announcements aren't exactly shocking, some are appalled at how quickly the determinations were made.
"As a matter of procedure MPS officers reviewed a document released in August 2021 as part of a US civil action. This review has concluded and we are taking no further action," the department said in a statement to the Mirror, per the Independent.
“We also reviewed information passed to us by a media organisation in June 2021. This review is complete and no further action will be taken."
The Metropolitan Police notes that it has looked into Giuffre's accusations twice since 2015 but has not opened investigations, as authorities feel the incidents should be dealt with by United States officials. In the US, the Duke of York faces a civil suit that he has until October 29 to respond to.
Many who have watched the story of Andrew's alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein and his network of abuse believe that Andrew's royal status is what's keeping him from facing the consequences of his alleged actions. Whether or not that is the case, it's clear that the family will have his back.
That protection will not last forever, sources believe. Andrew's siblings, along with the next generation of royals, believe he should never return to public life.
"William is no fan of Uncle Andrew," a source told the Sunday Times.
"There is no way in the world he's ever coming back, the family will never let it happen."
