American Virginia Roberts Giuffre is suing Prince Andrew for sexually abusing a minor. So far, the Queen’s son has been silent about the allegations. A first hearing is due to take place in mid-September.
Queen Elizabeth II had probably imagined the summer at her country estate Balmoral to be more relaxed. After the death of her husband Prince Philip in April and her grandson Prince Harry’s criticism of his own family, the 95-year-old would certainly do well with a little rest. Instead, the castle in the Scottish Highlands now serves as a royal seat of crisis to discuss the strategy regarding the lawsuit against Prince Andrew. In addition to Andrew and ex-wife Fergie, his daughter Eugenie and heir to the throne Prince Charles with his wife Camilla were also spotted in Balmoral.
On Monday, the American Virginia Roberts Giuffre filed a civil suit in New York against the Queen’s second eldest son. A first telephone hearing is due to take place on September 13th. The person in charge has now announced that.
The hearing is supposed to be about how Andrew will be officially served the prosecution papers if he does not respond to the allegations. So far, the royal has remained silent and his spokesman also refused to comment. However, the proceedings can only begin when the court documents have been handed over to the defendant. Since Prince Andrew does not live in the USA and is otherwise not so easy to contact, this must be done through a high-ranking official or lawyer.
In an interview with the BBC in autumn 2019, the prince had denied all allegations against him and claimed not to know Virginia Roberts Giuffre. Back then, however, it was all about his connection with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. With the civil suit, Andrew has now become a defendant himself.
British police want to re-examine allegations of abuse
Virginia Roberts Giuffre specifically accuses Prince Andrew of having abused her more than 20 years ago in the house of Epstein’s then girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell in London, in Epstein’s house in New York and on Epstein’s private island in the Caribbean. According to her lawsuit, the then 17-year-old was “forced to have sexual intercourse with Prince Andrew against her will” by Epstein, Maxwell and Prince Andrew. She is now demanding compensation from the prince.
In the meantime, the chief of the London police, Cressida Dick, has announced that she will be re-examining the case. After the latest investigation, she instructed her team to look again at the material at hand. While this is not an official investigation, it is a clear warning. “Nobody is above the law,” Dick said in an interview with the.
According to a report by the British Times, the legal battle could drag on for years – and thus overshadow the Queen’s 70th anniversary of the throne, which will be celebrated next year. Extensive celebrations are planned for June, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson is even giving the British an extra holiday.
If Prince Charles has his way, one person will be missing from this event: Prince Andrew. According to the heir to the throne decided that his brother should never return to his official royal duties – even if the lawsuit was dismissed. The damage to the image of the royal family would simply be too great.
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