This archive report was first published on 17 November 2019.
Prince Andrew's association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has been under scrutiny for years, with multiple accusers coming forward to share their experiences. In a recent interview, the prince attempted to defend their friendship, but his explanations only raised more questions.
When asked about the photograph of him with Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein's accusers, Prince Andrew stopped short of denying the image's authenticity. Instead, he claimed that he never dresses casually in London and avoids public displays of affection with strangers, suggesting that the photograph must have been taken in a different context.
However, his explanation for staying with Epstein at his Manhattan mansion in 2010 after Epstein's release from prison was particularly troubling. The prince claimed that it was 'convenient' to visit Epstein, but insisted that he had made the visit solely to break off their relationship.
Prince Andrew's defense of his association with Epstein has been met with widespread criticism, with many questioning the prince's judgment and character. Even after Epstein's death in his Manhattan jail cell, Prince Andrew refused to say that he regretted being friends with the convicted sex offender.
As the prince himself acknowledged, his actions were 'not becoming of a member of the royal family.' His failure to uphold the highest standards and practices has left many in Britain appalled.
