Accused of sexual assault by American Virginia Giuffre, Prince Andrew is calling for a civil trial before a jury “to defend himself”.
This request was officially formulated in a document sent by his lawyers to the Manhattan federal court. His entourage told AFP that “this simply means that the case will be settled in court”.
A decision that marks a clear change of strategy for Prince Andrew. The second son of Queen Elizabeth, who categorically denies the accusations, had so far multiplied attempts to block and have Virginia Giuffre’s complaint dismissed.
The latter’s lawyer said he was “looking forward to confronting Prince Andrew, his denials and his attempts to blame Ms Giuffre”.
A trial at the end of 2022?
In view of this trial, Prince Andrew will have to make a statement under oath in a law firm and answer questions from the lawyers of his accuser. Her answers will then be submitted to a jury responsible for deciding on financial compensation for the complainant.
According to experts quoted by AFP, Andrew will certainly have to appear at one time or another.
According to recent indications from Judge Lewis Kaplan, who on January 12 rejected a last appeal from the prince, the civil trial could be held “between September and December” 2022.
Virginia Giuffre, victim of Jeffrey Epstein, accuses Prince Andrew of having sexually assaulted her three times, in London, New York and the US Virgin Islands, residences of the couple of sexual predators Epstein-Maxwell, when she was a minor.
If he denies en bloc, these accusations splash the royal family. As long as the prince renounced his military titles as well as his status as royal highness a few days ago.