Prince Andrew Cleared to Travel Abroad After FBI Shuts Epstein Probe
Let’s unpack this without doing backflips: Prince Andrew just reclaimed his suitcase privileges after the FBI officially shelved its investigation into his ties with Jeffrey Epstein. In a terse letter dated January 17, 2024, obtained by Reuters, Department of Justice brass confirmed that “new information” removed the legal basis for pursuing any charges against the Duke of York. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson immediately hailed the move, noting that Andrew “is pleased to have finally put this matter to rest.”
Sources from People magazine and The Independent both confirmed that the closure stems from a lack of fresh evidence linking Andrew directly to the 2019 U.S. civil settlement with Virginia Giuffre. Giuffre’s defamation suit against the prince was settled out of court last year, but she continues to insist—per court filings—that Andrew “engaged in sexual conduct” with her when she was underage. Prosecutors, however, say prosecutors in New York concluded that revisiting criminal charges would be unjustified without new corroboration.
This unexpected green light means Andrew’s long-dormant royal schedule could spring back to life. He’d previously been shackled to U.K. soil by passport restrictions tied to the American probe. Now, insiders whisper he’s already eyeing speaking gigs in the U.S. and possibly a return to his beloved New York Yacht Club events. According to a palace aide speaking to the Daily Mail, Andrew’s team is drawing up a tentative itinerary that may include charitable fundraisers and business networking appearances in Manhattan and Palm Beach.
Despite the FBI’s exit, Andrew still faces reputational fallout. Public opinion remains split: critics accuse Buckingham Palace of hoodwinking U.S. authorities, while supporters argue this is vindication after years of what one palace ally called “unfair media frenzy.” Either way, experts like royal commentator Katie Nicholl (via People) stress that the duke will have to tread carefully—any misstep on foreign soil could reignite old headlines.
So, yeah, that’s the tea: Andrew’s passport is back in play and your favorite tabloids are already booking front-page space. If you’re tracking the duke’s next move, keep an eye on transatlantic departure boards. Anyway, that’s the scoop. Do with it what you will.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and Reuters, People magazine, The Independent, Daily Mail
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
