Prince Andrew’s relatives put up a strong front when they were seen for the first times since Ghislaine Maxwell, the Duke of York’s friend and close confidant for sex traficking was convicted.

As they walked in Verbier, the Duchess of York joined hands with their daughters Beatrice and Eugenie as well as Jack Brooksbank and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, their husbands.

They appeared in good spirits, despite growing scandal over the Duke of York’s involvement with Virginia Giuffre, a victim of sextrafficking.

Prince Andrew's family put on a united front as they were spotted for the first time since the conviction of the Duke of York's close friend Ghislaine Maxwell for sex trafficking. The Duchess of York linked arms with her daughters Beatrice and Eugenie and their husbands Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Jack Brooksbank as they took a stroll in the exclusive Swiss ski resort of Verbier

Prince Andrew’s extended family displayed unity as they were photographed for the first-time since Ghislaine Maxill, the Duke of York’s friend and close confidant was convicted of sex trafficking. As they walked in Verbier, a Swiss resort for skiers, the Duchess of York joined her daughters Beatrice & Eugenie with their husbands Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi & Jack Brooksbank.

The five (left to right, Edo, Beatrice, Duchess of York, Eugenie and Jack), appeared to be in good spirits despite the growing scandal surrounding the Duke of York's association with sex trafficking victim Virginia Giuffre

Beatrice and Eugenie were left to right. Eugenie was Eugenie. Jack, Eugenie. And Edo seemed to be in good spirits despite all the scandals surrounding Virginia Giuffre’s sex-trafficking victim.

Prince Andrew is pictured with the Duchess and their children in Verbier back in 2001

Prince Andrew and the Duchess of Verbier with their children back in 2001 are pictured

According to some reports, the New Yorks hosted a New Year’s Eve party with their friends from Switzerland.

It is believed that the entire family traveled to Switzerland for Boxing Day, while Prince Andrew remained in Windsor at his Royal Lodge residence.

The Duchess refused to discuss recent events, when she was approached by reporters.

According to the 62-year old, “We’re on family vacation.”

According to reports, the Duchess was very pleased to have had time to spend quality time with her grandchildren, Eugenie’s boy August and Beatrice’s girl Sienna. They are currently on vacation with their parents.

After Maxwell was found guilty of sex trafficking Wednesday evening, the Duke of York may have had crisis meetings with his legal staff.

Prince Andrew was seen for the first time on Friday since his friend Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted of child sex trafficking

Prince Andrew was seen Friday for the first times since Ghislaine Maxiwell was convicted in child sex traficking.

Meanwhile, Virginia Giuffre – the woman who claims she was forced to sleep with Prince Andrew when she was 17 – could be set to give a victim impact statement to a New York judge for the sentencing of Ghislaine Maxwell.

This week, the British socialite was convicted on multiple charges of child sex traficking in connection to Jeffrey Epstein’s billionaire boyfriend.

The Telegraph reports that although there were a few accusers who did not testify at the trial’s conclusion, several women would be allowed to give statements to Alison Nathan.

One of them is said to be Ms Giuffre – known before her marriage as Virginia Roberts – who alleges having sex with Andrew three times in 2001, at a time when she was a teenager and under the control of Epstein. The claims were denied by Prince.

Victim impact statements, which are witness testimony that outlines the effect of an offender’s actions on victims, can be presented to the court. 

Guidelines and reports can be used to decide the sentence length, but a judge must also take into account victim impact statements.

Sigrid McCawley, who represents Ms Giuffre, told the paper: ‘At the sentencing, I anticipate that there will be a lot of testimony from many, many other women who were not able to be heard at the trial, who will come forward and bring information about their suffering at the hands of Ghislaine Maxwell.

“I believe that this issue will be addressed by Judge Nathan before she makes her determination on how long Ghislaine will remain behind bars.” 

Virginia Giuffre - the woman who claims she was forced to sleep with Prince Andrew when she was 17 - could be set to give a victim impact statement to a New York judge for the sentencing of Ghislaine Maxwell. She is pictured with her lawyer, David Boies

Virginia Giuffre (the woman who says she was forced to have sex with Prince Andrew as a teenager) could give a victim statement to the New York judge regarding the sentencing for Ghislaine Maxill. David Boies is her lawyer. 

Andrew says he doesn’t have proof of the infamous assertion that he cannot sweat. 

Prince Andrew suffered a setback in his US sex case, after admitting he has no proof over his infamous claim he cannot sweat and also seeing the judge throw out an attempt to stall the case.

His accuser is being sued by lawyers in New York for damages.

However, his legal team stated that there were no documents in the plaintiff’s possession, custody or under his control.

It comes amid claims that Buckingham Palace ‘sleepwalked’ into the Prince Andrew crisis and has been paralysed with indecision over to how to handle things.

According to senior royal insiders, the duke was a member the Royal Family and operated with impunity because his staff were too scared to confront him.

They also said that he may still be allowed to return to public life despite all the controversy surrounding his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.

Andrew was facing two major setbacks in US sex cases. Andrew admitted he didn’t have enough evidence to support his claim that he couldn’t sweat. The judge also made an unsuccessful attempt at stalling the case.

His accuser is being sued by lawyers in New York for damages.

However, his legal team stated that there were no documents in the plaintiff’s possession, custody, or control.

Additionally, the Duke stated that he could not provide witnesses to back up his claim that Miss Giuffre was with him at Pizza Express in Woking.

Andrew made no request to defer the case, claiming Miss Giuffre could not sue the US because she lives in Australia.

The Prince was yesterday seen for the first times since his British friend Ghislaine Maxwell was sentenced to multiple child sex offences for driving her boyfriend Epstein to Windsor Castle.

The prince was seen in public yesterday for the first time since his friend, British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, was convicted of multiple counts of child sex trafficking for her boyfriend Epstein, driving himself to Windsor Castle. Pictured: Prince Andrew and Maxwell in 2000 at Ascot

Yesterday was the prince’s first public appearance since his friend and British socialite Ghislaine Maxill was sentenced to multiple child sex crimes for Epstein. He drove himself to Windsor Castle. Photo: Prince Andrew with Maxwell at Ascot 2000

Andrew’s lawyers claim that he has not been at Pizza Express and have no witnesses.

Another setback for the Prince came after he admitted that he could not also present any witnesses to support his claim that he was at Pizza Express, Woking, on the night of the alleged affair with Miss Giuffre.

Because he had spent the entire day with Beatrice, it was impossible for him to have done that. He said, “I was there with my children, and I had taken Beatrice to Pizza Express in Woking at 4pm or 5pm for a birthday party.” 

He answered a question about why 18 years later he still remembers a pizza at Pizza Express. Although I have only visited Woking once, I can still recall it vividly.

“As soon a person reminded it to me, I thought, “Oh, yes, I do remember that.” 

His Newsnight interview also revealed that he had been at the Pizza Express in Woking on the date Miss Giuffre claims they slept together. This has also been confirmed by him.

Miss Roberts claims to have slept three times with Andrew in 2001. She was then 17, and she was under Epstein’s control.

He strongly denied the allegations. However, Maxwell’s conviction has put more pressure on the prince.

A senior royal advisor spoke on condition anonymity to say that although no one outside the Prince’s personal office knew the extent of his friendship with Maxwell and Epstein, it was an ongoing issue for the Royal household.

‘Anyone who even dared to offer their professional advice that maybe his way wasn’t the right one was met with a decisive ‘f*** off out of my office’,’ the source said.

Other former royal staff back up the account, claiming that the prince behaved as though he didn’t need to answer anyone and allowed himself to “go rogue”.

Andrew’s role in roving trade “ambassador” was particularly problematic, according to some reports. This saw him being repeatedly criticised for cozying up with highly controversial businessmen and world leaders.

Former Buckingham Palace staffer recalled that it was a difficult task to get the prince and his advisors to accept any instruction. They said that the duke had made it clear to them that the Queen was his only source of information.

“He would not take any advice.” [He]He acted in total impunity, and his staff was too afraid to challenge him as a member the Royal Family. He benefited from the support of Her Majesty, who almost always supported him.

“There is an element of Buckingham Palace sleepingwalking into Andrew’s whole crisis. Andrew told his family it wasn’t true and that everything would be okay.

Andrew has resigned from his official duties after the Newsnight interview.

Pictured: Prince Andrew, Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell in 2001

Pictured in 2001: Prince Andrew and Virginia Giuffre with Ghislaine maxwell

Prince Andrew stepped back from official duties following the Newsnight interview

Following the Newsnight interview with Prince Andrew, Prince Andrew has resigned from all official duties

Andrew will again try to have Miss Giuffre’s matter thrown out on Tuesday.

In court papers, she legal team said they would examine her Newsnight alibi. Yesterday, he denied that he was sweating during their dance in London nightclubs. 

His lawyers want him to show proof of his “alleged medical condition, anhidrosis”.

The police could request that his bodyguards from the past testify as to the whereabouts and activities of the duke during the time Miss Giuffre said they were having sex. Last night, Buckingham Palace refused to comment.

Q&A 

Andrew was charged with what?

These formal accusations are battery and intentional injury to emotional distress. Virginia Roberts, who is bringing the New York case as her married name Giuffre, alleges that she was forced to have sexual relations with Prince Andrew at 17 years old. She was also a sex slave to Jeffrey Epstein’s friend and paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. This civil case is different from the Ghislaine Maxill trial in Manhattan. Miss Roberts seeks damages in the amount of millions of pounds. Andrew can’t be imprisoned.

Are we where are?

This case, which was originally filed in August, is currently at its early stages. A new Andrew motion to dismiss the case will be heard by the judge on Tuesday. If it continues there will be the taking of depositions – formal statement given under oath.

Who can be deposed

David Boies is Miss Roberts’ lawyer and he has indicated that he intends to seek deposal of the duke, possibly with Sarah Ferguson as his ex-wife. Andrew will be on her side, along with her associates and possibly her lawyers.

And what about after?

Judge Lewis Kaplan set September as the tentative date of his trial. The case will be heard by an impartial jury consisting of 12 members of public.

Will Andrew testify?

However, he could refuse to depose but this can lead to a default judgement against him. He has the option to decline to be present at the trial or to ‘take fifth’ and refuse to answer questions, in order not to incriminate himself.

How will evidence be presented?

Miss Roberts will give her story and she’ll bring along witnesses to back it up. According to some reports, she may use Epstein private jet flight logs that show her flying to places where she claimed to have had sex. Maxwell could be supplying evidence from Maxwell’s trial, which may include testimony from Carolyn (a victim who claims she was drawn into Epstein’s orbit by Roberts).

Andrew might be contacted by the FBI.

This is separate to this case. As part of their ongoing investigation into Epstein’s worldwide sex ring, the FBI has been seeking to interview Andrew for two years. An application for Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty protection to the Home Office is still pending and hasn’t been processed.