Andrew breaks cover to join royals for festive party as Epstein pals to be named

20 December 2023 , 18:27

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Disgraced royal Prince Andrew arriving at court (Image: © Bruce Bennett)

Prince Andrew was pictured arriving at the Royal Family’s Christmas celebration as the side-lined royal faces even more accusations of sexual assault.

The disgraced Duke was welcome at The Firm's festive celebrations today after Johanna Sjoberg, 42, has accused him of groping her. The alleged sexual assault was said to have taken place at Jeffrey Epstein’s New York mansion back in March 2001, according to deposition comments, The Sun reported. Prince Andrew denies the allegations.

However, as Andrew tries to pretend it is business as usual, Judge Loretta Preska has ruled that material related to Ms Sjoberg should be unsealed in two weeks time. This has set another ticking time bomb over the Duke’s already stained reputation.

Andrew was warmly welcomed at the King’s family party at Windsor Castle and he was snapped arriving. He had previously missed family events after past accusations, and denies all wrongdoing. This all comes as a federal judge in the US has ordered the public disclosure of the identities of more than 150 people mentioned in court documents related to Andrew’s former friend, Jeffrey Epstein.

The judge said that many names were already public. Virginia Giuffre, 40, who was one of the 'sex slave' victims of Epstein's trafficking ring, sued Prince Andrew, the Duke of York for battery and infliction of emotional distress. She claimed he sexually assaulted her when she was 17 years old, in 2001. The case was settled in February 2022 for a reported £10 million ($12.6 million) on no admission of liability.

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Princess Anne at the traditional royal Christmas lunch at Windsor Castle before the family head to Sandringham (© Bruce Bennett)

The people whose names are to be disclosed, including sex abuse victims, litigation witnesses, Epstein's employees — and even some people with only a passing connection to the scandal — have until January 1 to appeal the order, signed Monday by Judge Loretta A Preska.

Many of the records related to that lawsuit were publicly released in past years, but on Monday the judge made determinations about some portions of the records that were initially withheld on potential privacy grounds and what can be made public about certain people mentioned in the records.

Andrew had a long and public relationship with Epstein, when it was put to him in a BBC interview that he should’ve stopped being friends with him following allegations against the financier, the royal claimed he was “too honourable”.

The Mirror contacted the Duke of York's representatives for a comment.

Kieren Williams