Outrage and unrest has surrounded Prince Andrew over the past month as his links to Jeffrey Epstein were laid bare in his controversial interview with the BBC.
And now, the woman at the centre of allegations towards the Prince has broken her silence by doing her own interview with the BBC, and suffice to say its given us a lot more insight into the complexities of the alleged storyline.
Prince Andrew is at the centre of explosive claims pertaining to underage sex.
(Getty)Speaking to BBC’s Panorama, Virginia Giuffre, formerly known as Virginia Roberts, has spoken out about what happened between the pair, stating: “He knows what happened, I know what happened and there’s only one of us telling the truth.”
Virginia has claimed Prince Andrew had sex with her when she was 17, but the Prince has since vehemently denied it.
His claims that he had “no recollection” of ever meeting Virginia have been met with criticism from many – especially given his reasoning.
Indeed Giuffre was specific with the details surrounding their alleged meeting, including that Prince Andrew was “profusely sweating”.
However Andrew rebutted the claim in the interview by stating: “I didn’t sweat at the time because I had suffered what I would describe as an overdose of adrenalin in the Falklands War when I was shot at and I simply… it was almost impossible for me to sweat.”
Prince Andrew delivered an interview that many described as a “car crash”.
(BBC)In Virginia’s interview, Virginia detailed the scenario further.
Explaining that Andrew had asked her to dance, she elaborated: “His sweat was like – it was raining basically everywhere and I was just like grossed out from it.”
Virginia’s emotional interview also touched on some of the hard realities she faced after making the claims.
“This is a story of being trafficked. I implore people in the UK to stand up beside me and help me fight this fight.”
Virginia implored people of the UK to “help me fight this fight”.
(BBC)Another controversial element to the story, and which appears to refute Prince Andrew’s claims that he never met Virginia pertains to the photograph of the pair, which was allegedly taken around the time Virginia claims their relations occurred.
Andrew said: “Nobody can prove whether or not that photograph has been doctored but I don’t recollect that photograph ever being taken.”‘
Virginia was sceptical: “The people on the inside are going to keep coming up with these ridiculous excuses.”
“Like his arm was elongated or the photo was doctored, or he came to New York to break up with Jeffrey Epstein. I mean, come on, I’m calling BS on this, because that’s what it is.”
WATCH: Prince Andrew’s interview with the BBC. Story continues…
After Virginia’s interview aired on December 2, Buckingham Palace released a statement, again denying Andrew’s involvement with the then 17-year-old.
“It is emphatically denied that The Duke of York had any form of sexual contact or relationship with Virginia Roberts. Any claim to the contrary is false and without foundation,” the statement read.
Andrew’s deep regret in ever involving himself with Epstein was also made clear, with the statement reading: “The Duke of York unequivocally regrets his ill-judged association with Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein’s suicide left many unanswered questions, particularly for his victims. The Duke deeply sympathises with those affected who want some form of closure.
“It is his hope that, in time, they will be able to rebuild their lives. The Duke is willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required. The Duke has already stated that he did not see, witness or suspect any behaviour of the sort that subsequently led to Jeffrey Epstein’s arrest and conviction.”
Prince Andrew expressed his regret in ever being involved with Epstein following Virginia’s interview with the BBC.
(Getty)Despite the additional statement from Buckingham Palace, the scandal surrounding the Prince has led to monumental fallout for the royal family.
In fact, in November it was announced Prince Andrew would be “stepping back” from his public duties as a royal, all while a number of organisations associated with the Prince cut their ties with him.
Whether he will return to his formal work as a royal remains to be seen, but while Virginia and the media continue to scrutinise his version of events, it may well not be for some time.
