The royal family has been engulfed in crisis as the scandal continues to worsen following the US Justice Department’s recent release of millions of documents relating to Jeffrey Epstein’s network.
A number of the files involve Andrew – both in damaging photographs and also emails exchanged between himself and the convicted sex offender.
Andrew has previously been accused of having sex with a then-17-year-old Virginia Giuffre, nee Virginia Roberts, while she was being trafficked by Epstein.
Maxwell, right, with Prince Andrew and Virginia Giuffre. She denied introducing the duke to Epstein. Photo / PA Media
Among the more recent claims are that a second woman was also sent to the UK by the late billionaire for a sexual encounter with Andrew, which it is alleged occurred on royal property.
British former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor kneeling over a woman lying on the floor. Photo / US Department of Justice, AFP
Andrew has always vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
Late last year, Buckingham Palace released a statement on behalf of the King which announced the stripping of Andrew’s “prince” title and other honours, as well as his formal eviction from the Royal Lodge on the grounds of Windsor Palace. Andrew relocated to Wood Farm Cottage in Norfolk, in eastern England, his temporary accommodation, in the middle of the night last week.
The statement in October appeared to briefly appease the public outcry, but the latest drop of Epstein files has reignited the scandal more ferociously than ever before.
The latest allegation against Andrew is that he shared confidential reports of official visits to Hong Kong, Singapore and Vietnam in his capacity as the UK’s trade envoy.
Thames Valley Police have confirmed they are now assessing the claims.
Meanwhile, before the launch of Prince William’s Saudi Arabia visit, a spokesman for the Prince and Princess of Wales told journalists in Riyadh that the pair were “deeply concerned” by the situation surrounding the disgraced former prince.
“I can confirm The Prince and Princess of Wales have been deeply concerned by the continuing revelations,” the spokesman said.
“Their thoughts remain focused on the victims.”
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