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Prince Andrew news - live: Documentary to claim royal was intimate with Maxwell and Lady Hervey was ‘bait’

Prince Andrew and the convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell may have been more than friends, two acquaintances have claimed in an ITV documentary.

Former Buckingham Palace royal protection officer Paul Page and Euan Rellie, who knew Maxwell at university, both suggested the pair’s relationship was closer than previously thought.

“From the way she was allowed to enter and exit the palace at will, we realised... suspected, that she may have had an intimate relationship with Prince Andrew,” Mr Page said. He added that one colleague remembered Maxwell coming to the palace four times in a single day.

Mr Rellie told the broadcaster: “I got the sense that Prince Andrew and Ghislaine had probably been girlfriend and boyfriend in the past. They had an easy warmth around each other.”

The British socialist Lady Victoria Hervey, who socialised with Andrew, Maxwell and Epstein in the early 2000s, also appears in the documentary. “I think I was pretty much used as bait, you know, looking back at it,” she said of Maxwell and Epstein.

Ghislaine, Prince Andrew & the Paedophile, which focuses on the trio’s friendship, will be shown at 9pm tonight.

Key Points

  • Prince Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell may have had ‘relationship’, says ex-friend

  • ‘I was pretty much used as bait,’ British socialite says of Maxwell and Epstein

  • Racecourse hopes to rename Duke of York event after Prince Andrew allegations

  • Watch: Royal may have been intimate with Maxwell, acquaintance tells ITV documentary

  • Police remove Prince Andrew plaque in Devon

Tuesday 18 January 2022 13:39 , Rory Sullivan

Good afternoon from London, and welcome to The Independent’s liveblog on Prince Andrew.

Prince Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell may have had ‘relationship’, says former friend

Tuesday 18 January 2022 13:41 , Rory Sullivan

Prince Andrew and the convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell might have had a relationship, an ITV documentary has been told.

“I got the sense that Prince Andrew and Ghislaine had probably been girlfriend and boyfriend in the past. They had an easy warmth around each other,” Euan Rellie, a friend of Maxwell’s from university, said.

Here’s my colleague Holly Bancroft with further details:

Prince Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell may have been in relationship, ex-friend claims

The woman who represented eight of Epstein’s victims

Tuesday 18 January 2022 13:55 , Rory Sullivan

Lisa Bloom has been an attorney for three decades.

The UCLA and Yale Law School graduate, who represented eight of Epstein’s victims, of whom one “had allegations” against Ghislaine Maxwell, watched and analysed the British socialite’s trial closely.

She told Clémence Michallon that she cried on hearing the guilty verdict against Maxwell. “I had sat with them for years and heard the suffering that they have gone through,” Bloom says. “I mean, lifelong suffering … So when that verdict came in, it was deeply moving that at last she was brought to justice.”

Woman who represented eight of Epstein’s victims on what’s to come in Maxwell case

Watch: Prince Andrew may have been intimate with Maxwell, acquaintance says

Tuesday 18 January 2022 14:15 , Rory Sullivan

Police remove Prince Andrew plaque in Devon

Tuesday 18 January 2022 14:35 , Rory Sullivan

#icymi

Devon and Cornwall Police have removed a plaque commemorating Prince Andrew’s opening of a police station in Torquay.

The plaque, which had been there for more than 20 years, was taken down after the Duke of York was stripped of his military titles and royal patronages last week, ahead of the civil sexual abuse trial he faces in the US.

Assistant Chief Constable Jim Nye confirmed: “Following a complaint we received from a member of the public, a decision was made to move the plaque from public display.

“The recent removal of Prince Andrew’s military affiliations and royal patronages were also taken into account when making this decision.”

My colleague Thomas Kingsley reports:

Police remove Prince Andrew plaque from station after complaint

Racecourse hopes to rename famous event linked to Prince Andrew

Tuesday 18 January 2022 14:55 , Rory Sullivan

York Racecourse wants to change the name of its well-known Duke of York Stakes in a bid to distance itself from Prince Andrew, reports have suggested.

Although the race was named after Prince George, who went on to become King George V, in 1895, bosses fear people will associate it with Andrew.

James Brennan, the head of marketing at York Racecourse, told the Yorkshire Post: “It was named in honour of Prince George who went on to become King George V. It has never been directly about Prince Andrew.

“With that in mind, however, we are going to explore how we can make the name a lot clearer about its history - and that the name refers to an entirely different Duke of York.”

Ghislaine, Prince Andrew & the Paedophile

Tuesday 18 January 2022 15:17 , Rory Sullivan

Ghislaine, Prince Andrew & the Paedophile - a documentary made by ITV - will air this evening at 9pm.

In addition to interviews alleging that the Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell were lovers, ITV’s Ranvir Singh speaks to Scotty David, a juror at Maxwell’s trial.

Mr David is one of several jurors who disclosed they were sexually abused as children, leading Maxwell’s lawyers to call for a re-trial.

Maxwell is currently awaiting sentencing for sex trafficking.

Andrew and Harry likely to receive Platinum Jubilee medal

Tuesday 18 January 2022 15:46 , Rory Sullivan

Prince Andrew and Prince Harry are both expected to be given a Platinum Jubilee medal to commemorate the Queen’s 70-year reign, it has emerged.

The report comes amid speculation they might not receive one, as neither are working royals.

Harry distanced himself from the royal family by moving to the US, where his uncle Andrew, who was stripped of his military titles and royal patronages last week, faces a civil sexual assault case. Andrew strenuously denies the allegations brought against him by Virginia Giuffre.

Hugo Vickers, a royal biographer, said that even Wallis Simpson, the widow of the Duke of Windsor, received a Silver Jubilee medal in 1977, suggesting the same should apply to Andrew and Harry.

Mr Vickers told the Daily Express: “I asked and was told, ‘She was entitled to it so she was sent one’.”

Duke of York threw tantrums about teddy bears, ITV documentary alleges

Tuesday 18 January 2022 16:10 , Rory Sullivan

Prince Andrew would get angry if his teddy bears were ever put in the wrong place, a former member of royal staff has alleged.

Paul Page, a former royal protection officer, told an ITV documentary that staff were warned about the prince’s soft toy collection in his private apartment.

Referring to the apartment, Mr Page said: “It had about 50 or 60 stuffed toys positioned on the bed.

“And, basically, there was a card the inspector showed us in a drawer, and it was a picture of these bears all in situ on the bed.

“And the reason for the laminated picture was that, if those bears weren’t put back in the right order by the maids, he would shout and scream and become verbally abusive.”

Witness willing to testify about alleged Prince Andrew sighting, says lawyer

Tuesday 18 January 2022 16:52 , Rory Sullivan

A woman who alleges she saw Prince Andrew at a nightclub almost two decades ago with Virginia Giuffre is “willing” to testify in the upcoming trial, her lawyer has said.

“I am proud to represent Shukri Walker, who has bravely stepped forward as a witness and encourages others who may have information to do so as well,” the attorney Lisa Bloom told the Guardian in an email.

“She is willing to do the deposition Virginia Giuffre’s team is seeking,” she added.

Prince Andrew is being sued by Ms Giuffre over sexual assault allegations. He strongly denies any wrongdoing.

‘I was pretty much used as bait,’ says Maxwell friend

Tuesday 18 January 2022 17:22 , Rory Sullivan

A British socialite has alleged that she was used as “bait” when she spent time with Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein in the early 2000s.

Lady Victoria Hervey told the ITV documentary Ghislaine, Prince Andrew And The Paedophile: “Jeffrey was really the frontman and Ghislaine was the accomplice. You know, it was kind of like a Batman and Robin and they were a double act. I don’t think Jeffrey could have done any of it without Ghislaine.”

She added: “I think he just kind of sat - sat back and sort of waited for her to sort of go fishing and go, you know, find however many girls were needed, you know, to entertain his friends.

“I think I was pretty much used as bait, you know, looking back at it.”

In a separate interview with ITV’s Lorraine Kelly, she claimed Maxwell was a “victim” and “scapegoat” because “there is no-one else to blame”.

Maxwell was convicted of sex trafficking on 29 December, and will be sentenced this summer.

Epstein was found dead in custody while awaiting a trial on sex trafficking charges.

What were Prince Andrew’s ties to Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein?

Tuesday 18 January 2022 18:00 , Rory Sullivan

A famous photograph shows Ghislaine Maxwell huddled next to Jeffrey Epstein at Balmoral in 1999.

The pair were the guests of Prince Andrew.

But how did the three know each other? Bevan Hurley looks into their friendship:

What were Prince Andrew’s ties to Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein?

Royal officials looking at how to remove Harry and Andrew as Counsellors of State, report suggests

Tuesday 18 January 2022 18:30 , Rory Sullivan

Palace officials are exploring ways of removing Princes Andrew and Harry from their positions as Counsellors of State, a report has indicated.

Under this role, which is only held by four people, they can be called to stand in for the Queen if she becomes ill.

A royal source told the Daily Mail: “It is a genuine problem that the Palace is looking to address. Can you imagine the Duke of York having to sign official documents, for example, because the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge were both abroad, and the Queen became ill? It’s not an exaggeration to say it could put the monarchy in jeopardy.”

How did Maxwell meet Epstein?

Tuesday 18 January 2022 19:00 , Rory Sullivan

Ghislaine Maxwell met the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein in 1991 through a mutual friend.

Years later, the daughter of the late media mogul Robert Maxwell was charged with helping Epstein in his sexual exploitation of young girls.

In late December, Ms Maxwell was found guilty of five federal sex trafficking charges.

Her relationship with Epstein and Prince Andrew will be examined in Ghislaine, Prince Andrew & the Paedophile, an ITV documentary airing tonight.

Grame Massie reports:

How Ghislaine Maxwell met Jeffrey Epstein

Explainer: Maxwell verdict and sentencing

Tuesday 18 January 2022 19:24 , Rory Sullivan

With less than two hours to go until Ghislaine, Prince Andrew & the Paedophile is shown on TV, here is a re-cap of the Maxwell verdict:

Ghislaine Maxwell verdict, full charge list and sentencing date

What royal patronages has Prince Andrew lost?

Tuesday 18 January 2022 20:01 , Rory Sullivan

Prince Andrew was stripped last week of all his royal patronages ahead of a civil sexual assault trial he will fight as a private citizen.

But what titles did he lose?

My colleague Kate Ng has the details:

What are the patronages Prince Andrew has lost?

What happened on Epstein’s island?

Tuesday 18 January 2022 20:25 , Rory Sullivan

Jeffrey Epstein liked to call his home in the US Virgin Islands “Little St Jeff”, but locals called it “Paedophile Island”.

The 75-acre private residence is now at the centre of a series of lawsuits and criminal investigations linked to Epstein, who died in prison in 2019 in an alleged suicide.

Here’s a report from Io Dodds:

Jeffrey Epstein’s island: What really happened there?

Scotty David: Ghislaine Maxwell juror says ‘brutal’ trial deliberations left them in tears

Tuesday 18 January 2022 20:50 , Rory Sullivan

A juror in Ghislaine Maxwell’s trial has spoken about the the “brutal” toll the 40 hours of deliberations had on the jury.

Speaking to ITV for the documentary, Ghislaine, Prince Andrew and the Paedophile, Scotty David said: “There were tears, because this is somebody’s life on the line. The prosecution had to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Ghislaine Maxwell was guilty of these crimes.

“And we all felt comfortable, but the emotional toll it took on all of us after spending a week combing through all the evidence, all the testimony again, was, it was brutal.”

Ghislaine Maxwell juror says ‘brutal’ trial left them in tears

Lady Victoria Hervey: Prince Andrew’s former girlfriend in profile

Tuesday 18 January 2022 20:59 , Emily Atkinson

A former girlfriend of Prince Andrew has hit the headlines after she claimed Ghislaine Maxwell used her as “bait” to find underage girls for paedophile Jeffrey Epstein to abuse.

Lady Victoria Hervey is a socialite and aristocrat who dated the beleaguered Duke of York briefly in 1999.

Her claims about Maxwell feature in a new ITV documentary about the royal on Tuesday night.

Laurie Churchman reports:

Lady Victoria Hervey: Prince Andrew’s former girlfriend in profile

Ghislaine Maxwell ‘essentially a pimp’, says lawyer to Epstein survivors

Tuesday 18 January 2022 21:21 , Emily Atkinson

The lawyer who represented eight victims of the sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein in the trial against Maxwell has said she “took advantage” of the young girls who trusted her for “being a woman.”

Speaking in the ITV documentary, Ghislaine, Prince Andrew & the Paedophile, Lisa Bloom said that the girls were not recruited by Epstein, but Ghislaine Maxwell.

She described Maxwell and Epstein’s operation as a “pyramid scheme, with Jeffery Epstein at the top, then Ghislaine, and then all the young girls.”

Bloom added that Maxwell was “essentially a pimp” and was also occasionally “directly involved in the sexual assault herself.”

The attorney, who was also involved in the sexual assault case against Harvey Weinstein, said that the girls found Maxwell more “trusting” as she was a women. “Ghislaine took advantage of that,” she added.

“She normalised Jeffery Epstein’s behaviour and set the tone to enable him to be the predator he was.

“Women trusted her, people trusted her.”

Ghislaine Maxwell may have had ‘intimate relationship’ with Prince Andrew, ex-Buckingham Place protection officer claims

Tuesday 18 January 2022 21:37 , Emily Atkinson

An ex-Buckingham Place protection officer has claimed Prince Andrew may have had an “intimate relationship” with Ghislaine Maxwell.

Speaking in the ITV documentary, Ghislaine, Prince Andrew & the Paedophile, Paul Page said he believes Maxwell entered and reentered the palace four times in one day, “in and out, in and out.”

“From the way she was allowed to enter and exit the palace, at will, we realised… suspected, that she may have had an intimate relationship with Prince Andrew.”

“A colleague of mine remembered her coming in four times in one day from the morning till the evening – she kept coming in and out, in and out…” he claimed.

Watch: Prince Andrew's ex-bodyguard believes royal and Ghislaine had ‘intimate relationship’

Tuesday 18 January 2022 21:44 , Emily Atkinson

‘Remember that you see nothing, hear nothing, say nothing,’ reads alleged handbook for Epstein’s home

Tuesday 18 January 2022 21:47 , Emily Atkinson

An alleged handbook for Epstein’s Palm Beach home told visitors to remember to “that you see nothing, hear nothing, say nothing”, the ITV documentary Ghislaine, Prince Andrew & the Paedophile has revealed.

Prince Andrew’s number appears to be seen in Maxwell and Epstein’s ‘little black book’

Tuesday 18 January 2022 21:51 , Emily Atkinson

In a clip for the documentary Ghislaine, Prince Andrew & the Paedophile , an ITV journalist discovers an entry in the book under ‘Duke of York’, with Buckingham Palace, London, supplied as the address.

A number is also supplied, which the journalist proceeds to call.

It goes to voicemail and a message - the voice of which she claims ‘sounds like Andrew’ - said: “I’m afraid I have not been quick enough to get to the phone before it went off to take your message. If you do have a message, please leave it and I will get back to you as soon as I can.”

‘We believe her, we love her’, says Maxwell’s brother

Tuesday 18 January 2022 22:03 , Emily Atkinson

Ghislaine Maxwell’s brother has said he hopes his sister “gets the justice she deserves” as her lawyers announced they were going to appeal her sex-trafficking conviction.

“Im just damn angry,” Ian Maxwell said, through tears, in the documentary Ghislaine, Prince Andrew & the Paedophile

“We believe her, we love her. We hope she gets the justice she deserves.”

Ghislaine Maxwell juror says ‘brutal’ trial deliberations left them in tears while socialite was ‘like a stone’

Tuesday 18 January 2022 22:05 , Emily Atkinson

A Ghislaine Maxwell juror has spoken about the the “brutal” toll of deciding the socialite’s fate brought some jury members to tears, writes Bevan Hurley.

The juror, known by his first names Scotty David, revealed the 12 jury members felt “comfortable” with Maxwell’s guilty verdict, but said the 40 hours of deliberations had been an emotionally draining experience.

Speaking to ITV for the documentary, Ghislaine, Prince Andrew and the Paedophile, Scotty David said: “There were tears, because this is somebody’s life on the line. The prosecution had to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Ghislaine Maxwell was guilty of these crimes.

“And we all felt comfortable, but the emotional toll it took on all of us after spending a week combing through all the evidence, all the testimony again, was, it was brutal.”

Watch: ITV documentary appears to show Prince Andrew's number in Epstein's ‘little black book’

Tuesday 18 January 2022 22:19 , Emily Atkinson

Review: Ghislaine, Prince Andrew and the Paedophile review: A sensitive documentary that will sap one’s faith in humanity

Tuesday 18 January 2022 22:45 , Emily Atkinson

Ghislaine, Prince Andrew and the Paedophile is, inevitably, depressing viewing, writes Sean O’Grady. No matter how many times you see that photo of a grinning Andrew with his arm round Virginia Giuffre – like he’s won her in a raffle, Ghislaine Maxwell smiling indulgently on – or watch the Prince strolling with Jeffrey Epstein in Central Park, or hear the witnesses’ grim testimony, they never lose their power to sap one’s faith in humanity. Familiarity with such things certainly does breed contempt, so far as Maxwell, the Prince and Epstein are concerned.

Ghislaine, Prince Andrew and the Paedophile will sap one’s faith in humanity - review

Andrew’s teddy bear collection was not to be disturbed, claims documentary

Tuesday 18 January 2022 23:15 , Emily Atkinson

The Duke of York’s love of his soft toy collection meant he would throw a tantrum if the teddy bears were moved, an ITV documentary will allege.

A laminated picture of Andrew’s favoured possessions was said to be kept in a drawer to help household staff properly place them on his bed.

The claims will be made by former royal protection officer Paul Page in the ITV programme Ghislaine, Prince Andrew and the Paedophile, which is due to be screened on Tuesday.

The full story is available here:

Andrew’s teddy bear collection was not to be disturbed, claims documentary