Prince Andrew is now facing a private legal challenge concerning accusations of sexual assault, corruption, and misconduct in public office, following the controversy surrounding Virginia Giuffre.

The anti-monarchy organization, Republic, has reportedly hired legal experts to scrutinize the prince’s actions and potentially move forward with legal action.

Allegations against Andrew include the sexual assault of Virginia Giuffre when she was 17 and a more recent claim from 2011 that he pressured a royal protection officer to delve into Giuffre’s background, suspecting she had a criminal record.

Having relinquished his Duke of York title and largely retreated from royal duties, Andrew has consistently denied all accusations made against him.

However, Republic is determined to pursue legal proceedings, criticizing past responses to these allegations as inadequate and lacking in strength.

The group asserts that they are making a “compelling and principled case” for justice to be served for victims of sexual abuse and for those who misuse public office to face consequences.

‘If not us, then who?’ asked Graham Smith, CEO of the anti-monarchy group.

‘It’s a devastating indictment on the UK’s criminal justice system, police and politicians – not to mention the king and heir – that we must resort to a private prosecution.

‘It should be a cause for concern that so many people believe – rightly in my view – that the royals are not treated equally in law. Equality in law is a basic tenet of democracy.

‘I firmly believe there is strong enough evidence to justify a serious investigation. The authorities and politicians appear to want to look the other way, while minimising the accusations made against Andrew.

‘The truth must prevail and justice must be seen to be done.’

Prince Andrew (pictured at the end of September driving out of his home at Royal Lodge at Windsor) could be privately prosecuted over allegations of sexual assault

Anti-monarchy group Republic says it intends to investigate allegations that the former Duke of York sexually assaulted Virginia Giuffre (pictured)

Giuffre, who died by suicide on April 25 this year, alleged in her posthumous memoir Nobody’s Girl that Andrew was ‘entitled – as if he believed having sex with me was his birthright’.

She also outlined three occasions on which the Duke had sex with her, including at convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell’s house in London.

The Duke has denied ever meeting Virginia Giuffre. In 2022, he settled a US civil case she lodged for a reported £12million, reportedly receiving money from his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, to help meet the costs.

The settlement came with no admission of liability. 

The Metropolitan Police said in January 2024 that it would not mount an investigation into allegations against the Duke of York, but would assess ‘new and relevant’ information as and when it came to light.

However, it said earlier this month it was ‘actively’ looking into the claims Andrew had asked his personal protection officer to investigate Ms Giuffre, and the Mail on Sunday understands he was interviewed by detectives at home last week. 

A bombshell email published by the Mail on Sunday earlier this month revealed how Andrew asked his taxpayer-funded protection officer to dig into her past, two months after the infamous photo of him with Giuffre and Maxwell came to light.

In an extraordinary message to Ed Perkins, Queen Elizabeth’s deputy press secretary, he wrote: ‘It would also seem she has a criminal record in the States. I have given her DoB [date of birth] and social security number for investigation with XXX, the on duty ppo [personal protection officer].’ 

It emerged earlier this month that Andrew had also told Jeffrey Epstein ‘we are in this together’ in an email sent after the picture of Giuffre was first published by the Mail on Sunday in 2011.

The Mail on Sunday revealed earlier this month that he told his friend that he was ‘concerned’ about the picture, but added that he believed the pair would ‘rise above’ public scrutiny.

The email was sent in April 2011, some 12 weeks after he had told the BBC in the now-infamous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis that he had ceased contact with the paedophile. 

‘I’m just as concerned for you! Don’t worry about me! It would seem we are in this together and will have to rise above it,’ the ex-Duke had written.

‘Otherwise keep in close touch and we’ll play some more soon!!!!’

Prince Andrew, Virginia Giuffre and sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell in a photo reportedly taken in 2001, when Giuffre was 17 years old

Members of anti-monarchy group Republic stood outside Andrew’s home – Royal Lodge at Great Windsor Park – last week to demand greater transparency

Andrew is set to leave his home at Royal Lodge (pictured) with his ex-wife, the former Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson

Graham Smith of Republic later told Sky News that there is ‘plenty of evidence to have grounds of suspicion that need to be properly investigated’.

‘The police have said they have looked into it which is not the same as a criminal investigation,’ he said.

‘What we’re trying to do is ensure it is properly investigated by instructing a team of specialist lawyers and if there is sufficient evidence to pursue it in court we will pursue a private prosecution.’

He added: ‘In terms of sexual offences (the Met) has investigated and successfully prosecuted offences going back to the 1970s. Andrew’s alleged offences were 25 years ago and he had police guarding him and protecting him at the time.

‘The bar for proving criminal guilt is high but we don’t believe the response so far has been appropriate from the police or the politicians.’

It comes amid an almost complete disconnection from the Royal Family for Andrew, who stepped back from official duties in 2019 and had his honorary military affiliations and royal charitable patronages removed in 2022.

Earlier this month, he agreed to stop using the Duke of York title and his other entitlements, with the exception of the title ‘prince’, following ‘discussions with the King’.

Andrew is reportedly in talks to leave the 30-room, Grade II listed Royal Lodge on the Windsor Estate, where he has lived since 2004 for a peppercorn rent.

The former Duke of York – who has a 91 per cent negative approval rating as of today, according to YouGov – is said to have finally surrendered following pressure from Prince William, who is alleged to have threatened to strip his daughters’ titles away.

Andrew could be in line for a payout because departing will breach his ‘cast iron’ 75-year lease on the home, which he had shared with his ex-wife, the former Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson.

The pair are reported to be eyeing up Frogmore Cottage – once home to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle – and Adelaide Cottage, currently the home of the Prince and Princess of Wales and their family.

Republic has been campaigning for a criminal investigation into Prince Andrew this month: activists stood outside the entrance to Royal Lodge with banners reading ‘end royal secrecy’ and ‘Royal Epstein inquiry now’ two weeks ago. 

A member of Republic is thought to have been the man seen heckling King Charles during a visit to Lichfield Cathedral earlier this week.

The man shouted at the King, who is Andrew’s brother: ‘How long have you known about Andrew and Epstein? Have you asked the police to cover up for Andrew?’

He was told to ‘shut up’ by another member of the crowd, but went on to ask: ‘Should MPs be allowed to debate the royals in the House of Commons?’

The group later said it ‘fully support(ed) the heckling of Charles’ but did not appear to take responsibility for the outburst. 

This is a breaking news story – more to follow.