Awkward. Prince Andrew publicly addressed the allegations that he had underage sex with Victoria Roberts before British leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday, Jan. 22.
Before beginning his speech about his charitable causes, the Duke of York addressed the accusations, telling the crowd: “For the record I refer to events that have taken place in the last few weeks. I just wish to reiterate and to reaffirm the statements which have already been made on my behalf by Buckingham Palace.”
“My focus is on my work and this evening’s reception allows me to tell you about just a couple of the initiatives I have founded and am passionate about,” he added.
As previously reported by Us, the Palace denied the claims made by Roberts. "This relates to long-standing and ongoing civil proceedings in the United States, to which the Duke of York is not a party," Buckingham Palace’s statement read on Friday, Jan. 2. "As such we would not comment in detail. However, for the avoidance of doubt, any suggestion of impropriety with underage minors is categorically untrue."
Roberts, who was unidentified in her original lawsuit, made accusations against Prince Andrew in a lawsuit she filed against Andrew’s friend — and registered sex offender — billionaire banker Jeffrey Epstein. She alleges that Epstein told her “to give the prince whatever he demanded” and to “report back on the details.” At the time of the incident, Roberts was only 17.
Following the Palace’s denial, Roberts’ lawyers sent the Duke of York a letter demanding an interview under oath.
According to the Guardian, following his speech, a reporter asked Andrew, “Will you be making a statement under oath?,” and the Duke refused to answer.