Prince Andrew receives writ on rape claim
»»Legal papers handed to police at Windsor Castle »»He denies claim by Virginia but has a week to respond
PRINCE Andrew could have until next Friday to respond to court papers accusing him of sexually assaulting Virginia Giuffre.
The bombshell writ with lurid details of the claims was handed to royal protection officers at Windsor Castle two weeks ago after an agent was told he could not meet the Prince in person, papers show.
Andrew, 61 – who strongly denies allegations he forced Virginia to have sex when she was 17 and insists he has never met her – is understood to be aware of the development.
The mum of three, 38, claims that she was loaned out to him by his paedophile pal Jeffrey Epstein and the tycoon’s alleged “recruiter” Ghislaine Maxwell in 2001.
Under the Hague Convention, Virginia’s team must present the papers to Andrew in person. But the legal documents lodged in the US claim the summons has been served to him properly under UK law.
If deemed to be the case, he will have until September 21 to respond.
If the claim progresses, the court will have the power to order disclosure of evidence, including phone records, emails, diaries and letters. The Prince could be called to give evidence but cannot be forced to appear in person.
An agent acting for Virginia first tried to serve the affidavit of service on Thursday, August 26, but was told by Andrew’s private secretary he could not be located, papers lodged in New York’s Southern District claim.
London-based corporate investigator, Cesar Sepulveda, said he was made to wait for “some time” after leaving his business card with
royal protection officers. He claimed a number of police officers on duty “could not raise anyone in charge”.
Sepulveda said it appeared they had been “primed” not to allow anyone on to the property to serve the papers and had refused to accept them. He also phoned Andrew’s solicitor and left a message but the lawyer did not respond, it is claimed.
But when he returned the next day, the head of royal security at the gate of Royal Lodge, Andrew’s official residence, allowed him to leave the documents and said that they would be forwarded to the Prince’s legal team.
Sepulveda said that he was refused permission to see Andrew in person and the protection team told him they could not say where he was.
The investigator said in the sworn document: “The Metropolitan Police officer said he could not answer any questions, but stated by leaving it there the court process would be forwarded on to the legal team.” The civil suit’s first hearing will be on Monday when Virginia’s lawyers must tell the judge if Andrew has the papers.
She accuses him of sexual assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress after allegedly being forced to have sex with him in London, New York and on Epstein’s Caribbean island. Virginia, now in Australia, wants compensation and punitive damages which could be more than £14million.
Civil case papers state: “In this country no person, whether president or prince, is above the law, and no person, no matter how powerless or vulnerable, can be deprived of the law’s protection.”
They also accuse the Duke and representatives of having rejected requests to provide “whatever facts, context or explanation he might have, and to explore alternative dispute resolution approaches”.
But if the Prince is not found to have been served the writ by December 7, legal experts warn that the case may collapse. US civil litigation lawyer Spencer Kuvin, who represents several Epstein victims, said Andrew’s team could try to dismiss the allegations on grounds, including diplomatic immunity as he was a trade envoy at the time. Virginia’s lawyer David Boies has previously confirmed that they were trying to serve the lawsuit by hand. He said: “We’ll present a copy of the complaint in a formal way. He is a foreign citizen so we must do this under the Hague Convention.” Boies insisted that Andrew “cannot hide behind wealth and palace walls” and must respond to the allegations. The document lodged on Friday states: “That service as described herein is consistent with the provisions for service upon an individual defendant as required by the Supreme Court of Judicature in England and Wales.”
In late 2019, Andrew told a BBC Newsnight interview that he had never had sex with Virginia, insisting: “It didn’t happen.”
The Prince this week visited the Queen’s Balmoral estate with former wife Sarah Ferguson.
He was reportedly “going stir crazy” staying in Royal Lodge.
One source close to the royal said: “It is clear he has a clear and burning desire to return to work. He is ‘utterly convinced’ he will be exonerated.”
A spokeswoman for the Duke said he declined to comment.
Nobody, president or prince, is above the law and no one can be deprived of its protection STATEMENT IN CIVIL PAPERS ACCUSING PRINCE ANDREW OF SEXUAL ASSAULT