Prince Andrew served with legal papers for sex abuse lawsuit

Picture courtesy: BBC

Prince Andrew is being sued in New York by Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who says he had sex with her when she was 17. Her lawyers have served the senior British royal with legal papers for a lawsuit.

A document filed in a US court on Friday showed that paperwork for Giuffre's lawsuit was filed at Andrew's home, Royal Lodge, in Windsor on 27 August. The affidavit was accepted by a Metropolitan police officer at the gates of the property at 9.30 a.m., after the agent filing the document had been turned away the previous day, according to the documents. According to court documents, an answer is due from Prince Andrew to the affidavit by 17 September failing, judgment by default will be entered against him for the relief demanded in the complaint.

A US judge must determine whether the papers were in fact "served" before any case can proceed.

A video conference on the next stages of the case is scheduled for a New York court on Monday.

The legal claim alleges that Giuffre was compelled by express or implied threats by Jeffrey Epstein, Maxwell, and /or Prince Andrew to engage in sexual acts with Andrew and feared death or physical injury to herself or another due to their powerful connections, wealth and authority.

Andrew has "absolutely and categorically" denied having sex with Roberts and Buckingham Palace has called the claims "false and without foundation".