The memoir by Virginia Giuffre is due to be published on Tuesday, the day before King Charles begins a state visit to the Holy See. The two-day visit includes an ecumenical service in the Sistine Chapel, with the King set to pray publicly with the Pope, a first for a British monarch since the Reformation.

The Metropolitan Police said they are aware of media reports about Prince Andrew and are examining claims reported by the Mail on Sunday that he shared Giuffre’s date of birth and social security number with a taxpayer-funded protection officer in 2011 and asked for an investigation. It is also alleged that he emailed the late Queen Elizabeth II’s deputy press secretary to flag the request and suggested Giuffre had a criminal record. A Met spokeswoman said investigators are looking into the claims.

Andrew gave up his Duke of York title and other honours last Friday to prevent distraction from the King and the royal family. Excerpts from Giuffre’s memoir have drawn renewed attention to past events. Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts has urged the King to strip Andrew of the prince’s rights, while sources say Charles and William are in agreement on how to handle his titles. In 2022, the duke paid millions to Giuffre to settle a civil case. The memoir notes a reported 12 million USD pay-out to Giuffre and a 2 million USD donation to her charity (€11.2 million and €1.9 million respectively). It also contains claims about a one-year gag order and about her account of being trafficked to wealthy individuals, and it references the 2019 Newsnight interview.