Prince Andrew faces new fallout as Jeffrey Epstein accuser says she was forced to have sex with him
Virginia Roberts Giuffre claims she was forced to have sex with Prince Andrew on three occasions when she was 17; reaction from trial attorney Heather Hansen and Jill Dobson, editor-at-large for Metropolitan Magazine.
Prince Andrew celebrated the big 6-0 on Feb. 19 — but apparently none of his royal siblings were present for the festivities.
A low-key private dinner held for the Duke of York drew around 50 guests last week, but none of the senior royals were in attendance, U.K.’s Daily Mail reported on Wednesday.
According to the outlet, older brother Prince Charles, who is heir to the British throne, as well as younger brother Prince Edward and Princess Anne were nowhere to be seen.
“Neither of Andrew’s brothers was there, nor was Anne, but it was a wonderful party,” one guest told the outlet, adding there was still a “really good range of people.”
Those in attendance included former Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, actor Sir John Standing and racing heir Guy Sangster, said the reported.
Prince Andrew, Duke of York leaves the headquarters of Crossrail at Canary Wharf on March 7, 2011, in London, England. Prince Andrew is under increasing pressure after a series of damaging revelations about him surfaced, including criticism over his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, an American financier. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
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Liu Xiaoming, China’s U.K. ambassador, reportedly attended the party at Royal Lodge, the Windsor residence Andrew shares with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, the outlet claimed.
Andrew’s birthday celebration was plagued with problems following his alleged ties to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew’s mother, Queen Elizabeth II, reported scrapped plans for a more lavish affair and last-minute invites were sent out after numerous friends refused to show.
U.K.-based broadcaster Neil Sean previously told Fox News that Meghan Markle and her husband Prince Harry weren’t expected to attend the royal get-together. Andrew is Harry’s uncle.
“A mole [told] me, ‘It’s an open secret they declined the invite but it’s not very nice for the queen as, whatever people say and think, he is [still] her son and she wanted her close family around her,’” Sean alleged. “The reason given is that they already have commitments on the day but also plan to send a gift/card and a video message to be played at the party.”
(L-R) Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Britain's Prince Andrew, Duke of York. (KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH/AFP via Getty Images)
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And while Andrew is laying low following the ongoing scandal and nuclear interview, Sean said he will make an appearance for his daughter Princess Beatrice’s wedding in May.
Andrew didn’t attend Beatrice’s engagement party in London, which was held in December 2019, People magazine previously reported. However, the outlet shared Andrew has remained incredibly close to his family, including his ex-wife. In addition, he has continued to spend time with his mother. They were seen together exchanging smiles during a church outing on Jan. 19 and then spotted horseback riding around the Windsor Castle estate.
In January, authorities announced Andrew has refused to cooperate with federal investigators as they continue their probe into Epstein.
According to the New York Post, Manhattan US Attorney Geoffrey Berman told reporters at a news conference outside Epstein’s former Upper East Side residence that federal prosecutors reached out to Andrew and have been struggling to get the prince to agree to sit down with them.
Prince Andrew (right) is dealing with harsh backlash from critics and media personalities over an interview about his relationship with now-deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and the numerous sexual assault allegations against the British royal. (Getty)
Berman told the press outside the mansion: “The Southern District of New York and the FBI have contacted Prince Andrew’s attorneys and requested to interview Prince Andrew, and to date, Prince Andrew has provided zero cooperation.”
Andrew is accused of having sex with at least one of the women Epstein allegedly trafficked. He has vehemently denied any claims of wrongdoing at the hands of his relationship with Epstein.
Photo from 2001 that was included in court files released last week shows Prince Andrew with his arm around the waist of 17-year-old Virginia Giuffre who says Jeffrey Epstein paid her to have sex with the prince. Andrew has denied the charges. In the background is Epstein's girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell. (Florida Southern District Court) (U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals)
Epstein, 66, was found unresponsive in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City in August. Despite the fact the financier died behind bars awaiting trial for sex trafficking, the top prosecutor said the feds’ investigation into his sex abuse network will continue because “Jeffrey Epstein couldn’t have done what he did without the assistance of others.”
“And I can assure you that the investigation is moving forward,” Berman added.
Fox News’ Julius Young contributed to this report.
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