In a recent interview with the BBC, Prince Andrew has vehemently denied claims that he had s**ual relations with Virginia Roberts, a teenager who was at the center of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
The Duke of York, aged 59, asserts that he is innocent due to a medical condition resulting from his service in the Falklands War, which renders him unable to perspire.
Roberts had alleged that Prince Andrew was “sweating profusely” while they were dancing in a nightclub, and that they engaged in s**ual activity that night as well as on two subsequent occasions.
However, during the 50-minute interview, the prince firmly stated, “We never had any sort of s**ual contact whatsoever.”
Furthermore, Prince Andrew expressed no regrets about his association with Epstein, a billionaire convicted pedophile, as he believed their friendship had “seriously beneficial outcomes.”
He rebuffed claims that he met Roberts at Tramp nightclub in London’s Mayfair, insisting that he was at Pizza Express in Woking, approximately 31 miles away, with his daughter Princess Beatrice, who was 12 years old at the time.
The prince maintained that despite spending time with Epstein on his private jet, his private island, and at various residences, he never witnessed any wrongdoing or inappropriate behavior on the part of the tycoon.
Additionally, Prince Andrew questioned the authenticity of a photograph showing him with Roberts inside the Belgravia home of Epstein’s girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell.
He claimed to have no recollection of the photo or even going upstairs in the house.
The highly anticipated interview, conducted by Newsnight host Emily Maitlis, aired on BBC2 under the title “Prince Andrew & The Epstein Scandal.”
Millions of viewers tuned in to witness the duke’s response to the allegations.
Roberts, now 36 years old and a mother of three, has accused Prince Andrew of engaging in s**ual activity with her on three separate occasions, starting in 2001.
She alleges that she flew to London on Epstein’s private jet, had dinner with the prince, and then accompanied him to Tramp nightclub, where they danced and he appeared excessively sweaty.
Prince Andrew addressed the issue of sweating during the interview, stating, “There’s a slight problem with the sweating because I have a peculiar medical condition which is that I don’t sweat or I didn’t at the time.”
He attributed this condition to an adrenaline overdose suffered during the Falklands War, making it nearly impossible for him to perspire.
He added, “So I’m afraid to say that there’s a medical condition that says that I didn’t do it.”
According to Prince Andrew, on the specific date mentioned by Roberts (March 10), he was at home with his children, having taken Princess Beatrice to a party at Pizza Express in Woking between 4pm and 5pm.
As his wife, the Duchess of York, was away, Prince Andrew explained that it was their family rule for one parent to be present when the other was absent.
He emphasized the uniqueness of his visit to Woking, stating that he rarely visited the area and therefore remembered it distinctly.
When asked about his relationship with Roberts, Prince Andrew claimed to have no recollection of ever meeting her.
He dismissed the photograph showing him with his arm around her as potentially fake, as it was a photograph of a photograph.
He stated, “I have absolutely no memory of that photograph ever being taken.”
Regarding his friendship with Epstein, Prince Andrew admitted that, in hindsight, it was wrong to maintain such a connection.
However, at the time, he believed it to be honorable and justified.
He acknowledged that his judgment may have been clouded by his tendency to prioritize honor, but he stands by his decision.
In terms of assisting US authorities in their investigation, Prince Andrew expressed willingness but questioned his ability to provide helpful answers.
He stated, “If I was in a position to answer these questions in a way that gave sensible answers, I’d love it, but I’m afraid I can’t.
I’m just as much in the dark as many people.”
Prince Andrew has consistently denied any inappropriate behavior or knowledge of Epstein’s alleged s** trafficking activities involving underage girls.
Epstein was found dead in his cell at the New York Metropolitan Correctional Center in August while facing charges of s** trafficking and conspiracy to traffic minors for s**.
Ghislaine Maxwell, a British socialite who was romantically involved with Epstein, has been accused of acting as a madam for him but denies allegations of grooming girls for abuse.
She has not been charged with any crime.
