Sky News was interrupted for another breaking announcement regarding Prince Andrew. Presenter Jayne Secker told viewers: “We start with breaking news. Sky News has discovered that a current senior member of the King’s household was the head of royal protection at the time Prince Andrew allegedly asked one of his police officers to dig dirt on Virginia Giuffre. Lord Peter Rosslyn, who is now Lord Stewart and personal secretary to the King and Queen, was head of Royalty and Diplomatic Protection between 2003-2014.”
She added: “It is not clear if Commander Peter Loughborough – as he was known at the time – was made aware of Prince Andrew‘s request.” Rosslyn was known as Queen Elizabeth II “favourite policeman” and was appointed as Master of the Household of the then Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall at Clarence House in 2014. Sky News approached Lord Rosslyn for comment, which was passed to Buckingham Palace.
A spokesperson for the Palace said: “As you may or may not be aware, Lord Rosslyn works for The Royal Household and thus this issue has been referred to me. However, since this matter relates to his time in service with the Metropolitan Police, they would be the appropriate body to approach with media enquiries of this nature.”
Prince Andrew is alleged to have asked a bodyguard provided by the Metropolitan Police to dig up damaging information on Virginia Giuffre, reportedly in an effort to discredit his former accuser.
The Mail on Sunday reported obtaining an email that allegedly reveals Prince Andrew instructing his bodyguard to investigate Ms Giuffre. The publication also claimed that Andrew provided the bodyguard with Ms. Giuffre’s date of birth and social security number.
A Met Police spokesperson said: “We are aware of media reporting and are looking into the claims made.”
He relinquished his remaining royal titles and honours, including his Duke of York title, in the wake of the latest Epstein scandal.
In 2022, Andrew paid millions to settle a US civil sexual assault case brought by Ms. Giuffre, despite repeatedly denying ever having met her.
Ms Giuffre, who died by suicide aged 41 in April, claimed that she was forced to have sex with the prince on three occasions, including when she was 17, after being trafficked by Epstein.
He has firmly denied her allegations and claimed that the settlement does not constitute an admission of liability.