Royal Family scrutiny reaches a new milestone with the news that Pizza Express, the popular Italian chain restaurant, is said to have launched an internal probe into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's (the Duke of York) claim that he dined at its Woking branch on 10 March 2001. This investigation, driven by the restaurant's management, aims to validate or debunk his alibi for a day when Virginia Giuffre alleges she had sex with him in London following a party at Tramp nightclub.
The Duke has consistently denied these allegations and asserted that he was at home on the specified date, having taken his daughter to a birthday party at Woking's Pizza Express later that afternoon. This claim was made during a 2019 interview with BBC Newsnight. According to sources who spoke with the BBC, the restaurant chain sought verification of this statement but found no conclusive evidence either confirming or refuting Mountbatten-Windsor's presence on that day.
The investigation further involved a Freedom of Information request submitted by the BBC to Scotland Yard, seeking information on whether any royal protection officers accompanied him as would typically be expected. The Met responded by stating it could neither confirm nor deny holding such information, citing 'national security' and other reasons, despite having previously confirmed providing protection for Mountbatten-Windsor.
Separately, the Duke was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office, linked to his conduct as a UK trade envoy following the disclosure of emails related to Jeffrey Epstein. He has denied any wrongdoing and remains under investigation.
The ongoing scrutiny surrounding the Duke's activities comes as no surprise given recent developments. These events serve as a poignant reminder of the delicate balance between public interest and individual rights, particularly when national figures are involved.