Prince Andrew is facing more scrutiny of his longstanding friendship with Ghislaine Maxwell following her conviction in New York for sex trafficking on behalf of Jeffrey Epstein.

The Prince had a friendship with the couple going back more than 20 years. He invited Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein to Windsor Castle and Sandringham in 2000. They were guests of the Prince at Royal Ascot and spent time at the Queen’s Balmoral estate in Scotland.

Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, was found dead in his prison cell in New York in 2019 while himself facing sex trafficking charges.

Prince Andrew is facing a civil legal suit by Virginia Giuffre, formerly Virginia Roberts, who claims she was a victim of sex trafficking by Epstein and that the Prince had sex with her without her consent when she was 17.

The Prince has always strenuously denied the allegations and categorically denies knowing of any improper activities by Epstein or anyone else. His lawyers say the allegations against him by Virginia Giuffre are baseless and motivated by her desire for a “payday at his expense”.

Aleem Maqbool presents BBC News at Ten reporting by royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell.

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