In a dramatic legal blow that could see a senior royal forced to give evidence under oath, Prince Andrew faces the prospect of a full civil trial over sexual assault allegations after a New York judge threw out his attempt to have the case dismissed.
Legal Shield Crumbles for the Duke
The Duke of York's legal team had argued that a previous settlement agreement between Virginia Giuffre and Jeffrey Epstein should protect him from litigation. However, Judge Lewis A Kaplan ruled that the 2009 deal did not clearly extend immunity to the Prince, allowing Ms Giuffre's lawsuit to proceed.
This landmark decision means the Queen's second son could be compelled to provide testimony and potentially face a jury trial in the United States, creating an unprecedented constitutional crisis for the monarchy.
Allegations That Rock the Palace
Virginia Giuffre, now 38, alleges she was trafficked by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to have sex with Prince Andrew on three separate occasions when she was 17 years old. The incidents are said to have occurred at:
- Epstein's former Manhattan townhouse
- His private Caribbean island
- The London home of Ghislaine Maxwell
Prince Andrew has consistently and vehemently denied all allegations, telling BBC Newsnight in his disastrous 2019 interview that he had "no recollection" of ever meeting Ms Giuffre.
What Comes Next in the Royal Legal Battle?
The case now enters the discovery phase, where both sides must exchange relevant documents and evidence. This process could force Buckingham Palace to release sensitive records and requires Prince Andrew to sit for a deposition under oath.
Legal experts suggest several potential outcomes:
- Out-of-court settlement: The Palace might pursue a financial agreement to avoid the spectacle of a trial
- Continued legal fight: Prince Andrew's team could appeal the judge's decision
- Full jury trial: The case would proceed to courtroom proceedings in New York
With the eyes of the world watching, this developing scandal represents one of the most serious threats to the Royal Family's reputation in modern history, coming just months after the Duke stepped back from public duties following the Epstein scandal.
