Prince Andrew’s official legal response to Virginia Roberts’ civil complaint against him was described as “defiant.” It might be described as vague, sometimes confusing or ambiguous by a more skewed assessment.
There are 41 denials in his responses and “affirmative defenses” and 40 other assertions that the prince lacks enough information to deny or admit any of her claims.
Legal experts were skeptical of some responses and questioned his wisdom in insisting on a jury trial. They suggested that this may have been a joke to ‘buy time’.
Roberts requested that the prince respond to Roberts original complaint within a specified time limit. This deadline was set by court. A full response could be provided.
However, given the abundance of evidence in public domain about Andrew’s relationships with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxille Maxwell, some of his statements may still be baffling.
His legal defense is unclear enough that it suggests that Maxwell never was a close friend or that Epstein introduced Maxwell to him.
He said that Maxwell met him through his girlfriend, Emily Maitlis in November 2019. It was evidently a reference Maxwell.
He also admitted to flying in Epstein’s aircraft and visiting his island during the interview. He is more careful in his legal response to Roberts’ suit. She claims that she was made to have sex three times with Epstein.
Photograph of Prince Andrew holding his arm around Virginia Roberts, 17 years old. It was taken at Maxwell’s house.
Buckingham Palace has declined to comment as Andrew fights to erase his title as a “private citizen” after being stripped from royal privileges. But, his close aides worry about more devastating headlines a week prior to the historic Platinum Jubilee.
In the US, lawyers said Andrew – who strenuously denies the claims of wrongdoing – was gambling on ‘an incredibly risky strategy’, but sources close to the prince insisted he was entitled to defend himself when accused of ‘such heinous crimes’.
Let’s now examine some claims.
EXHIBIT A
Prince Andrew doesn’t have enough information to confirm or deny that Maxwell, Miss Roberts, and his widely-published photograph are ‘exists.
One of the most famous – or notorious – snapshots in the world shows Andrew with his arm around the bare midriff of a 17-year-old Roberts.
According to Maxwell, the incident took place on March 1, 2001 at Maxwell’s Belgravia home. It is believed that it was taken from Maxwell’s first-floor landing. Roberts claims it was after an evening out in central London.
The dinner included dancing and dinner at Tramp nightclub with Andrew, a “sweaty” Andrew. Maxwell, she claims, then had sex at her home. He denied that such an event and the assault occurred. Roberts was also denied by him.
Andrew challenged the authenticity of the photograph in the past. The original negative is still missing. Roberts claimed that it was in the FBI’s possession, kept in Australia in a family residence and “in a secure place”.
According to a Panorama documentary, legal papers reveal an ex-partner of Roberts told US officials he remembers being shown a copy of the picture – one of the most frequently viewed in the world – just weeks after it was taken.
Roberts also told the 2019 programme that a date on the back of the picture shows it was printed on March 13, 2001 – just two days after it was taken. She stated that it was an authentic photograph and she had given the FBI the photo. The back has a date that indicates when the photo was taken.
EXHIBIT B
Andrew “lacks enough information to admit/deny” that he was photographed with Maxwell at many social events.
This claim is most intriguing. Many photos of Maxwell and the prince attending social events are in the public domain.
How do you start? This is where you should start. They spent a lot of time together and in public.
Trump’s Resort party.
Prince Andrew and Ghislaine Maxiwell photographed together during a wedding
Andrew was photographed in Palm Beach at a Mar-a-Lago event on February 12, 2000. The prince can be seen laughing alongside Melania Trump’s then wife Jeffrey Epstein as well as Gwendolyn and Gwendolyn Brook, who were said to have become smitten while he was on Epstein’s Little St James island. Another picture shows Maxwell having a conversation with Andrew while Melania and Epstein look on.
New York’s tete-a-tete lunch
Andrew and Maxwell ate lunch at Nello’s on Madison and 62nd Street in New York City, April 20, 2000. Witnesses claimed that the couple ate lobster dinner and held hands. Andrew paid $130. Both of them left the restaurant separate, but they were both pictured outside.
A society wedding.
He attended Aurelia Cecil’s Wiltshire marriage on September 2, 2000. He arrived at the church, left it with a female companion, and they drove home together. Is the woman’s name? GhislaineMaxwell.
Ghislaine and The Duke of York attend a New York Halloween Party
Halloween Party cuddle.
Andrew was at Heidi Klum’s Halloween party at Hudson Bar, New York on November 6, 2000.
The prince dressed down – he took off his tie – but his female companion got into the spirit, wearing a shocking blonde wig and a midriff baring top. As they watched the crowd, she was seen with Andrew’s arm around her shoulder. What is her name? Ghislaine Maxiwell again.
Sandringham shooting.
On December 7, 2000, Epstein and Maxwell flew into the UK on his private jet – landing at RAF Marham, the pilot log for Flight 1429 suggests.
Mail received confirmation from witnesses that Maxwell and Epstein spent the weekend with him at Sandringham, Norfolk. Maxwell and Epstein went on a photo shoot with pheasants and were photographed in the gardens.
EXHIBIT C
Andrew “lacks enough information to admit/deny” that he was named in Epstein’s flight logs from 1999.
Many reports claim that Epstein flew the Prince as a passenger aboard Epstein’s planes.
A May 12th 2000 entry shows that Epstein’s Gulfstream II business plane flew between TEB (Teterboro Airport in New Jersey), which is approximately 12 miles from Midtown Manhattan, and PBI (Palm Beach International Airport), the nearest airport to Epstein’s Florida residence.
Jeffrey Epstein is pictured in his private jet with billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein
Named in flying logs were Epstein and his jet (which was nicknamed the Lolita Express)
Log shows that Flight 1338 was piloted by JE (Epstein), GM(Maxwell), ET, Maxwell’s assistant, AP (thought Epstein’s personal chef), Prince Andrew (Bodyguard)
This was probably the personal protection officer for Prince of Scotland Yard.
EXHIBIT D
Prince Andrew, Sarah Ferguson and Princess Eugenie are pictured together at Princess Beatrice’s 18th Birthday Party
Andrew does not have sufficient information to confirm or deny that Epstein invited him to Beatrice’s 18th birthday celebration in 2006. Epstein has been accused of paedophile crimes.
Although Epstein had previously been raided his house by police shortly before the event, the prince and his entourage posed for photos at their daughters fancy dress event in July.
One portrait in this series is notoriously unflattering. The portrait shows Harvey Weinstein, a Hollywood producer who was convicted of sexual offences in 2018, Epstein, who died in prison the next year while awaiting trial for his sexual offenses and a mask-wearing woman. What is her name? Ghislaine Maxiwell is back.
EXHIBIT E
Andrew doesn’t have enough information to confirm or deny that Epstein was a registered sexual offender at the time he met him in New York.
Again, this seems a bizarre contention, considering what Emily Maitlis was told by the Prince in his November 2019 interview with BBC Newsnight about his car crash.
Jeffrey Epstein is the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and Duke of York as they walk through New York’s Central Park.
He answered, “Why are you living with a convicted sexual offender?” He said: ‘I went there with the sole purpose of saying to him that because he had been convicted, it was inappropriate for us to be seen together… I felt that doing it on the telephone was the chicken’s way.’
Epstein, a convicted sex offenders, was something he knew when he spent time at the Manhattan businessman’s Manhattan home in 2010. His legal team may be focusing on the term “registered” because it is what Epstein knew.
EXHIBIT F
Prince Andrew seen in Jeffrey Epstein’s New York home as a paedophile
Andrew denied that he was a frequent visitor to Epstein’s many homes all over the globe, including New York City.
In his Newsnight interview, he said that he had been to Manhattan’s mansion where the convicted sex offenders was staying in 2010, because it was convenient.
EXHIBITG
Leaked emails between Ghislaine and the Duke
Andrew did not have enough information to confirm or deny his allegations. He emailed Maxwell, saying that he would be happy to talk with him. After Roberts made public accusations of him sexually abusing Virginia Roberts in 2015, I’ve got some specific questions for you.
A BBC Panorama program claims that Maxwell received a 5.50 am email from the prince saying, “Let me know when you can talk.”
Have some questions about Virginia Roberts. Maxwell said, reportedly: I have some details. Maxwell reportedly replied: ‘Have some information. Call me when I have the time. It is not clear where this email was sent.