A woman who alleges she was flown to the United Kingdom by Jeffrey Epstein to engage in sexual activity with Prince Andrew has shifted her stance regarding testimony in ongoing investigations. Her US lawyer, Bradley Edwards, has confirmed contact with UK police after his client moved from a definitive refusal to a potential willingness to assist in the criminal case.
The woman claims she was in her 20s when, at Epstein's behest, she spent a night at Royal Lodge in Windsor with Prince Andrew in 2010. According to her allegations, she was also given a tour of Buckingham Palace and attended tea afterward.
Mr. Edwards stated that discussions have occurred with British police regarding interviewing his client in the United States, though no agreement has been reached. "She has gone from a hard no, to a maybe," he said. "Her main concern is to protect her child and she doesn't want her kid being harassed. If those issues can be addressed it could happen. She is thinking about it. I think she should testify because what happened was wrong. But I'm not going to push her. It has to be her choice."
Prince Andrew, who denies any wrongdoing, was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office. This followed the release of documents by the Trump administration that appeared to indicate he shared sensitive information with Epstein during their decade-long association. The information allegedly included details of official visits to Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Singapore, as well as confidential briefings on investment opportunities in Afghanistan's reconstruction.
Thames Valley Police, leading the investigation into trafficking claims, stated in May that its inquiry was being expanded to encompass sex trafficking. It is understood that the probe into Prince Andrew is being resourced similarly to a major crime investigation, with specialist sexual offense investigators involved.
Mr. Edwards has previously represented more than 200 alleged Epstein victims and had sued Prince Andrew on behalf of Virginia Giuffre. Ms. Giuffre alleged she had sex with the former Duke of York at age 17 in London, New York, and on Epstein's Caribbean island. Prince Andrew settled the case for a reported £12 million prior to trial, without admitting liability.
Files released by the Department of Justice contained messages from Prince Andrew to Epstein in 2010, discussing setting him up with a woman. Epstein offered to introduce the prince to a "friend" described as "26, russian, clevere [sic] beautiful, trustworthy." It remains unknown if this woman is the same individual represented by Mr. Edwards.