Prince Andrew’s decision to fight the sex abuse case against him in a US jury trial is causing growing “disquiet” at Buckingham Palace amid fears it could overshadow the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Some senior figures had expected the duke — now contesting the case as a private citizen after being stripped of his HRH title — to settle out of court to avoid causing the Queen further embarrassment and monarchy more damage.
But his 41-point denial of allegations made against him, filed in legal papers on Wednesday night, show he is determined to fight on. It paves the way for a bombshell trial, which could come as the Queen celebrates 70 years on the throne later this year. A senior member of the Household said: “One can understand his determination to continue with this case. But, yes it is causing some disquiet at the palace. Many hoped it would be settled by now.”
Another senior figure added: “Didn’t somebody once say ‘the most dangerous creation of any society is the man who has nothing to lose.’ People are talking about this in relation to casting a shadow over the Platinum Jubilee. It is far worse, more pervasive than that.”
Ms Giuffre, also known as Virginia Roberts, alleges Prince Andrew sexually assaulted her between 2000 and 2002. The duke submitted 11 reasons why the case should be dismissed, including that Ms Giuffre’s claims were “barred by the doctrine of consent” and by “her own wrongful conduct”.
People are talking about this in relation to casting a shadow over the Platinum Jubilee celebrations
In Ms Giuffre’s allegations she accuses Andrew of sexually abusing her at the London home of disgraced British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, at paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein’s New York home and at his private island, Little St James. The duke strongly denies the allegations. A source said: “He is determined to clear his name.” In the legal papers, Andrew claims Maxwell was not a “close friend”, despite her being a guest at royal palaces and him being photographed with her at social events.
His lawyers also question the validity of a photograph of him with his arm around Ms Giuffre, writing: “Prince Andrew lacks sufficient information to admit or deny the allegation that there exists photographic evidence of his alleged meeting with Giuffre.”
However, a lawyer for victims of Epstein said she believes Prince Andrew is “in a lot of trouble” after he laid out his possible defences. Lisa Bloom called the jury trial insistence a “PR stunt”, as Ms Giuffre had already made the same request.
And when asked to assess the case against Prince Andrew, Ms Bloom told the BBC: “He denies there was any kind of sexual abuse and yet he also asserts the defence of consent — so which is it Prince Andrew?
“If I were taking his deposition I would want to know does he admit having sexual contact with her, and he says it’s consensual, or does he deny having sexual contact with her. Factually you can’t have it both ways.”
Despite Andrew’s legal move, it is possible he could still settle out of court to avoid further damage to the royal family.
