WASHINGTON DC, USA — The Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, has paused its investigation into Prince Andrew’s friendship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to sources close to the matter.
The decision comes more than four years after U.S. authorities accused the British royal of failing to cooperate with their probe, despite public commitments to assist.
The investigation has effectively been shelved pending new evidence, with law enforcement officials stating that they will only resume if fresh information surfaces.
“The agents and attorneys who have, for years, worked diligently looking into Andrew’s friendship with Epstein are beyond frustrated,” a source told the Mirror.
“They’re angry that the probe has been parked.”
The source explained that no significant leads have emerged for some time, and investigative resources have been redirected to other high-priority cases, including a federal investigation involving music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs.
“We simply don’t have the resources to keep every case running at full capacity, and right now, it’s the Diddy case consuming the lion’s share of investigative efforts,” the source added.
Longstanding Controversy
The investigation into Prince Andrew, 64, has been a point of contention since it became public.
Although the Duke of York was not considered a criminal suspect, investigators regarded him as a key witness in understanding Epstein’s network.
Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s most vocal accusers, alleged that she was trafficked by Epstein and forced to have sex with Prince Andrew on at least three occasions — claims the Duke has consistently denied.
Public pressure for the royal to cooperate has been mounting since 2020, when then-U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Geoffrey Berman, accused Andrew of offering “zero cooperation” to the inquiry.
Berman publicly criticised the prince, saying, “Despite his public statements to the contrary, Prince Andrew has repeatedly declined our requests to schedule an interview.”
Andrew’s legal team rejected these claims, insisting that the Duke had made offers to assist authorities on three separate occasions.
However, no formal interview ever took place, and with the investigation now paused, it seems increasingly unlikely that Andrew will be questioned under oath.
Frustration Among Victims
The news has outraged some of Epstein’s victims, who accuse the government of shielding the powerful.
“From the very beginning, we have been denied our voices, brushed under the carpet, and told to be quiet,” said one victim, a 36-year-old woman who received compensation from Epstein’s victim fund.
She described the decision as part of a “systematic cover-up,” adding, “The government always says that no one is above the law, but we all know that is untrue.”
Investigators have not formally closed the case but confirmed that the investigation has reached an impasse.
“Right now, resources are going elsewhere,” said a second source familiar with the investigation. “The officers and agencies have compiled much of their findings on Prince Andrew from years of work, but the matter remains at a standstill.”
Ghislaine Maxwell: A Key Yet Silent Figure
One potential avenue for new evidence lies with Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s former partner, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in trafficking underage girls.
However, sources close to Maxwell say she is unlikely to cooperate with investigators regarding Prince Andrew. “She would never speak to the FBI about the royal,” a source said.
Maxwell’s silence has left victims and advocates frustrated.
John Walsh, a well-known criminologist and victims’ rights advocate, has been one of Prince Andrew’s most vocal critics.
Walsh has consistently urged law enforcement to hold the Duke accountable for his ties to Epstein, expressing dismay over the delays in the investigation.
A Shift in Focus
According to sources, the probe into Andrew has gradually slowed since late 2023, as federal authorities prioritized new cases.
The recent surge in complaints and leads in the investigation into Sean “Diddy” Combs has further stretched resources, forcing the FBI to redirect manpower to more pressing matters.
“The sheer volume of information being gathered in the Combs case is comparable to when the Epstein investigation first broke wide open,” said a legal source.
The Southern District of New York is not expected to issue an official statement on the status of the investigation into Prince Andrew, as it is protocol not to comment on active or paused inquiries.
However, with the case now in limbo, the future of the probe remains uncertain.
Growing Calls for Accountability
The halting of the investigation has reignited public criticism about unequal justice. Advocates argue that the decision to “park” the case sends the wrong message about accountability, especially when powerful individuals are involved.
For many of Epstein’s victims, the move feels like another chapter in what they describe as decades of institutional failure to address their grievances.
Whether the investigation will resume depends on whether new evidence emerges, but for now, the pause leaves many questions unanswered — and many victims still waiting for justice.
