Pizza Express initiated an internal inquiry into Prince Andrew's claim that he dined at its Woking location on the night of a 2001 incident, BBC Newsnight reported. The investigation emerged from Andrew's defense strategy during his legal troubles related to allegations of sexual misconduct. The former prince had stated he was at the Woking restaurant on the evening in question, citing the outing with his daughter Princess Beatrice as his alibi. Pizza Express conducted the probe to verify whether records supported his account. The inquiry's findings and any conclusions remain unclear from available reports. The investigation underscores the broader scrutiny Andrew faced following his 2019 Newsnight interview, which damaged his public standing and led to his withdrawal from royal duties. Pizza Express's decision to examine its records reflects how the allegations extended beyond legal proceedings into corporate accountability. The pizza chain operates hundreds of locations across the UK, making historical verification of customer visits challenging without point-of-sale data or staff recollection. Andrew's legal settlement in early 2022 concluded his civil case without admission of wrongdoing, though the Woking alibi claim remained contested throughout proceedings. This development illustrates how high-profile legal cases generate pressure on third-party businesses to authenticate claims made by involved parties, even when such verification carries reputational risks for the companies involved.
