Prince Andrew Never Went to the FBI, BBC Says
Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein have followed him for years. The former Duke of York told the BBC he would cooperate with any appropriate law enforcement agency, yet he has never given an interview to the FBI about Epstein’s sex trafficking operation.
Geoffrey Berman, then the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, told the New York Post that the FBI asked to interview Prince Andrew in April 2020. No interview took place. Berman issued a public statement accusing the Duke of York of presenting himself as willing to assist while repeatedly declining to schedule a meeting.
“Prince Andrew yet again sought to falsely portray himself to the public as eager and willing to cooperate with an ongoing federal criminal investigation into sex trafficking and related offenses committed by Jeffrey Epstein,” Berman wrote. “Even though the prince has not given an interview to federal authorities, he’s repeatedly declined our request to schedule such an interview.”
Zero cooperation
Berman closed his statement by inviting Prince Andrew to provide any information he held. “If Prince Andrew is, in fact, serious about cooperating with the ongoing federal investigation, our doors remain open, and we await word of when we should expect him,” he said. No interview with U.S. authorities ever occurred, and the 2020 request stands as the last major documented federal effort before attention moved elsewhere.
Berman left his post a month later. The Sun reported that Attorney General William Barr removed him. Victims’ lawyer Spencer Kuvin questioned whether the timing related to the Epstein inquiry. Berman later wrote in his book that he learned of his departure through a press release and had not resigned.
Political motivations
Berman’s account describes pressure inside the Department of Justice during his tenure. Official statements at the time centered on other matters, yet the dismissal came while the Epstein probe remained active. The episode is now viewed mainly as historical context rather than a continuing line of inquiry.
Epstein’s former chef, Adam Perry Lang, worked for Epstein from roughly 1998 to 2002. He spoke with the FBI in 2021. Later file releases show he described a limited role and said he observed no criminal activity or minors at the properties where he worked. Earlier flight logs still record trips that included Prince Andrew.
Duke drama
Lang’s statements added detail to the record without introducing new allegations against the Duke of York. Prince Andrew’s refusal to speak with U.S. authorities, together with his 2019 BBC interview, continued to shape public perception of his involvement. Later document releases supplied fresh emails and photographs that contradicted earlier claims of severed contact after 2010.
Prince Andrew’s legal team told Insider in 2020 that authorities were being untruthful when they described a refusal to cooperate. The team said the Duke had reached out three times and would not proceed until he received what they called fair treatment. No resolution followed, and no interview took place under those conditions.
Olive branch
The 2020 position remained on record as a historical statement. Subsequent developments moved the focus beyond that standoff. In late 2025 and early 2026, the Department of Justice released large batches of Epstein files that included emails from 2011 and additional photographs. The documents showed continued contact and requests for statements denying involvement. The releases prompted new attention from U.S. lawmakers and British police.
2026 Arrest and UK Investigation
On February 19, 2026, Thames Valley Police arrested Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The allegation centered on sharing confidential trade documents with Epstein while serving as UK trade envoy. He was released under investigation after several hours. Reports described it as the first arrest of a royal sibling in modern times tied to Epstein-related files.
Latest Epstein Files Revelations
The 2025-2026 file releases contained emails, photographs, and communications that extended past the period when Prince Andrew said he had cut ties. Congressional interest increased, and UK authorities opened their own review. The documents provided primary evidence that investigators had not previously examined in public.
Congressional and International Scrutiny
In November 2025 the House Oversight Committee sent a formal request for a transcribed interview. Representative Robert Garcia signed the letter. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said any decision to testify remained a personal matter for Andrew. No compliance had been reported by early 2026.
Royal Family Repercussions and Current Status
King Charles stripped Andrew of his titles. He moved from Royal Lodge to properties in the Sandringham area. Discussions continued about lifetime exclusions from certain ceremonial events. Palace statements indicated support for law enforcement inquiries while the former Duke maintained a lower public profile.
