Prince Andrew has said he is “appalled” by recent sex abuse claims surrounding Jeffrey Epstein after footage emerged of the royal inside the convicted paedophile’s Manhattan mansion in 2010.
The royal released a statement after the video, obtained by MailOnline, was reportedly shot on 6 December 2010, around the time he was photographed with disgraced billionaire Epstein in New York’s Central Park.
Prince Andrew quit his role as UK trade envoy after fallout from the Central Park photos.
A Buckingham Palace statement said: “The Duke of York has been appalled by the recent reports of Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged crimes.
“His Royal Highness deplores the exploitation of any human being and the suggestion he would condone, participate in or encourage any such behaviour is abhorrent.”
Andrew, 59, has been dogged by accusations of a lack of judgement about his links with Epstein, who was found hanged in his prison cell in New York on 10 August.
The Palace has issued strong denials over claims from a woman who said she was forced to have under-age sex with the duke.
Virginia Roberts alleged in court papers in Florida that she was forced to have sex with Andrew when she was 17, which is under the age of consent in the state.
The Palace said the allegations are “false and without any foundation”, stating: “Any suggestion of impropriety with under-age minors” by the duke was “categorically untrue”.
