According to royal experts the guilty verdicts in New York won’t change Prince Andrew’s fate. He is considered a ‘busted flush” because of his close friendship with Epstein and GhislaineMaxwell, which he allegedly committed.
Andrew’s elder brother Prince Charles will see him as more than a liability to the Royal Family if the jury confirms that Ghislaine was Epstein’s willing accomplice.
His lawyers are going to try and have Virginia Roberts Giuffre’s civil lawsuit against the Duke of York thrown out of court. This will be made more challenging by today’s verdict.
And royal observers believe that even a victory for Andrew at that stage – or at a full trial expected in the Autumn – would still not be enough to remove the stigma attached to his name over his friendship with Epstein.
The sensational Ghislaine verdict will not have helped Andrew to gain confidence that Ms Giuffre would be successful in her lawsuit being dismissed.
The photograph of Prince Charles with his arm around Virginia Roberts, 17 years old at Ms Maxwell’s London mews house is one of few references to him. He claims that he doesn’t recall this occasion.
Prince Andrew strongly rejects the claims of Ms Giuffre (pictured in New York Court on August 27, 2019), that he was a 17 year-old sexslave with her after she said that she had been trafficked to him at his London home.
MailOnline was told by a seasoned royal expert that he is a “busted flush”. Andrew is wrong. It’s not about proof and evidence, what happened with Virginia Giuffre. Instead, it’s about perception.
“Andrew”‘s handling this entire affair and his interview on Car Crash Newsnight with Emily Maitlis have turned him into an unfit brand for the Royal Family.
“Only the Queen is loyal to him, even though she has considered him her favorite, and the rest of the Royals want him out of reach.”
Officially, Andrew has “stepped back” from royal duties during the court case, however, it is difficult to imagine how he would once again assume his position in public life the same as before.
Although he was an active participant as a Royal Navy Sea King Helicopter pilot during 1982 conflict, it is currently not likely that the Duke will be playing a major role in any commemorations of the Falklands war’s 40th anniversary in June.
Prince Andrew met Ghislaine Maxiwell for the first time when she was studying at university. They had been friends for almost 20 years before she introduced Andrew to Epstein.
Ghislaine Maxwell (right), and the American financier, (left) were thought to have been dating at that time. Epstein later formed a friendship.
Prince Andrew is a veteran and would be entitled to attend the events that mark Port Stanley’s recapture. But it is clear that no invitations were extended.
Prince Andrew was frequently mentioned by the prosecution in the trial, as a friend of Epstein and Ms Maxwell, a visitor to the billionaire’s townhouse in Manhattan and his private island Little St James – and as having travelled at least four times on the infamous ‘Lolita Express’, Epstein’s private jet.
A photograph taken by Prince William with his arm wrapped around Virginia Roberts (17 years old) at Maxwell’s London mews houses in London is the only thing that has not been used to refer to him. This occasion he denies he remembers.
Prince Andrew strongly refutes Ms Giuffre’s claims that he had slept with her 17 years ago as a sex slave. She claimed she was trafficked to him at London House. The photo may have been faked according to some sources.
His team had to have sighed of relief when Ms Giuffre, who was allegedly ‘available’ to testify, wasn’t called on the stand during Maxwell’s trial.
On Saturday, Maxwell’s defense lawyers were taunted by prosecutors who claimed they could have asked Miss Roberts to testify but chose not to. Andrew Rohrbach declared: “The most obvious witness that was available to both parties and on whom we expect the defense to comment is Virginia Roberts. She was described as an innocent victim, but she did not testify. And she was completely available to all the defendants. They didn’t call her.
A source close to the Duke told MailOnline: ‘This was Ghislaine Maxwell’s trial – not the Duke’s. Nothing new of any substance has been raised in relation to the Duke – any mentions have been glancing blows, not body blows.’
Prince Andrew was first introduced to Ghislaine Maxwell by her university professor. The pair were close friends for over 20 years and she is believed to have introduced Andrew to Epstein.
It was believed that she and the American financier were dating at the time. Epstein then formed a friendship.
This relationship allegedly led to Epstein making multiple visits both to Epstein’s home and to Epstein’s island.
Those who have known Prince Andrew for decades say he is a victim of his own boorish, entitled arrogance and his biggest mistake – and one which many other high-profile individuals also made, not least former US Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, was to allow himself to associate with the likes of a man like Epstein at all
Andrew’s attorneys will file a motion at the New York District Court next month seeking to dismiss him. According to court filings, he “unambiguously denies” sexually assaulting or abusing Ms Giuffre.
Andrew Brettler, Giuffre’s lawyer states that Giuffre was accused of serious misconduct by a member from the best-known royal families in the world.
“It’s unfortunate but unavoidable that sensationalism has prevailed over truth.
“Giuffre started this baseless suit against Prince Andrew to get another payday at his cost and the expense for those nearest to him Epstein’s abuse of Giuffre doesn’t justify her public campaign to defeat Prince Andrew”.
Those who have known Prince Andrew for decades say he is a victim of his own boorish, entitled arrogance and his biggest mistake – and one which many other high-profile individuals also made, not least former US Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, was to allow himself to associate with the likes of a man like Epstein at all.
“Andrew is currently out in the cold and will likely stay there,” said one of the many people who have met him over the years. He is a stoic, can’t-careless person who makes others resent him.
“I do not think that we will see him again in the future regardless of what happens in New York’s civil case. He’ll be unable to shake this stigma.
“He is likely to live out his days riding in Windsor Great Park, and maybe assisting Queen Elizabeth behind the scenes. But it appears very unlikely that he will be doing any public engagements.