In a dramatic legal blow that sends shockwaves through the Royal Family, Prince Andrew has been ordered to face a sexual assault trial in the United States after a judge rejected his attempts to have the case thrown out.
Judge Delivers Crushing Verdict
US District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan delivered the landmark ruling on Wednesday, dismissing the Duke of York's legal team's arguments and clearing the path for Virginia Giuffre's lawsuit to proceed to a potentially explosive jury trial.
The decision represents a catastrophic legal defeat for the Queen's second son, who had vigorously denied all allegations and sought to have the case dismissed on multiple grounds.
Giuffre's Allegations Stand Strong
Virginia Giuffre, now 38, alleges she was trafficked by the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to have sex with Prince Andrew on three separate occasions when she was just 17 years old. Her claims include an incident at Ghislaine Maxwell's London home.
Prince Andrew continues to vehemently deny all allegations, insisting he has no recollection of ever meeting Giuffre despite the now-infamous photograph showing them together with Maxwell.
Legal Battles and Public Fallout
The ruling comes after months of intense legal wrangling and represents the culmination of years of controversy surrounding the Duke's association with Jeffrey Epstein. The case has already had devastating consequences for Prince Andrew's public standing and royal duties.
Following the initial allegations and his disastrous BBC Newsnight interview in 2019, the Queen's son was forced to step back from all public duties in what was described as a personal decision supported by Her Majesty.
What Happens Next?
With the case now cleared to proceed, legal experts anticipate a lengthy and highly publicised discovery process that could see both Prince Andrew and Virginia Giuffre giving sworn depositions. The timeline suggests a potential trial could begin in late 2022.
The case represents one of the most serious legal threats ever faced by a senior royal and threatens to overshadow the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations while creating ongoing reputational damage to the monarchy.
