In a BBC Newsnight interview, Prince Andrew addressed his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and denied allegations of sexual misconduct. The Duke of York said he did not regret the friendship, claiming it had "some seriously beneficial outcomes" for his trade role.
Prince Andrew stated he met Epstein in 1999 through Ghislaine Maxwell and defended staying with Epstein in 2010 after his conviction, saying it was to end the friendship face-to-face. He described a phone call as "the chicken's way of doing it."
Regarding Virginia Giuffre's allegations of underage sex, the prince said a medical condition from the Falklands War prevented him from sweating, contradicting her account. He also questioned the authenticity of a photograph showing him with Giuffre, claiming he does not wear jeans in London and does not engage in public displays of affection.
Prince Andrew said he was at home with his daughter Princess Beatrice on the date of the alleged encounter, attending a party at a Pizza Express in Woking. He stressed he and Epstein "weren't that close" and that invitations to royal events were as Maxwell's guest.
