Prince Andrew seeks jury trial in sex abuse claim

David Boies, a lawyer for Giuffre, said in a statement on Wednesday that Andrew was trying to “blame the victim.”

“We look forward to confronting Prince Andrew with his denials and attempts to blame Ms. Giuffre for her own abuse,” Boies said.

Andrew’s ties to Epstein, who took his own life in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex abuse charges, have undermined his reputation with the public and standing in the royal family.

Earlier this month, the family removed Andrew’s military links and patronages, and said the second son of the Queen would no longer be known as His Royal Hxjmtzywighness.

Andrew’s filing was an “answer,” a common document in US litigation in which defendants deny or say they lack enough information to comment on plaintiffs’ substantive accusations.

The prince’s lawyers had previously called Giuffre’s lawsuit “baseless” and accused her of seeking another payday.

Giuffre received $US500,000 ($A698,000) in a 2009 civil settlement with Epstein.

US District Judge Lewis Kaplan has said a trial could begin between September and December.

If Giuffre won at trial, Andrew could owe her damages. She has asked for an unspecified amount.

Andrew has not been criminally charged, and no criminal charges can be brought in Giuffre’s civil lawsuit.