Prince Andrew rides horse in Windsor amid fresh pressure for him to speak to FBI

Prince Andrew was pictured today riding a horse in Windsor as he was dragged into the US court battle engulfing Ghislaine Maxwell after she was charged with new offences linked to Jeffrey Epstein at a time when the paedophile was socialising with the royal.

The Duke of York, 61, who lives at the Royal Lodge just three miles away from Windsor Castle, was joined by a female groom and looked relaxed as he rode through the countryside. 

Putting his troubles aside, the father-of-two, wrapped up warm for the spring day sporting a blue riding jacket and helmet.

The appearance comes as court documents revealed Prince Andrew’s sex accuser could testify about him at Maxwell’s trial.

Prince Andrew was pictured today riding a horse in Windsor as he was dragged into the US court battle engulfing Ghislaine Maxwell after she was charged with new offences linked to Jeffrey Epstein at a time when the paedophile was socialising with the royal

The Duke of York, 61, who lives at the Royal Lodge just three miles away from Windsor Castle donned a white face mask as he drove through the grounds 

The Queen’s second son stepped back from royal duty in 2019, following questions surrounding his friendship with billionaire paedophile Jerffery Epstein.  

The Duke has been accused of failing to help US prosecutors in their investigation into Epstein and the financier Maxwell.

Maxwell, who was Epstein’s longtime associate and former girlfriend, faces new charges of sex trafficking conspiracy and sex trafficking of a minor in the eight-count indictment, as well as earlier charges that include perjury.  

An amended indictment against Maxwell earlier this week now covers alleged crimes stretching from 1994 to 2004 in New York and Florida, including accusations that she paid the girl, known as Minor Victim-4, hundreds of dollars for each sexual act with Epstein. The girl was 14 when the grooming began, the indictment said. 

Putting his troubles aside, the father-of-two, wrapped up warm for the spring day sporting a blue riding jacket and helmet

She had previously pleaded not guilty to helping Epstein recruit and groom three teenage girls for sex between 1994 and 1997 in New York. Maxwell, 59, has been held in a jail in Brooklyn since her arrest last July.

The time frame of the new allegations has expanded to between 1994 and ‘at least’ 2004, which covers the period where Epstein was associating with powerful men like Prince Andrew and Bill Clinton.   

During this period Prince Andrew became friends with Epstein and allegedly had sex three times with one of his victims, Virginia Roberts, allegations the Duke denies.  

Prince Andrew’s sex accuser could testify about him at the trial, because the original photograph showing the Duke of York with his arm around Virginia Giuffre’s waist at Maxwell’s home in 2001 has been requested. 

The royal drove past walkers and passersby into Windsor Castle in order to go riding earlier this morning  

Ms Giuffre’s lawyer Sigrid McCawley revealed in court documents that Maxwell’s team want access to original copies of various photographs, reported The Sun.

It is thought Ms Giuffre, 37, who currently lives in Australia with her husband and three children, could give evidence alongside victims Maria and Annie Farmer.

Ms McCawley said: ‘There’s simply no reason why if the Farmers and Ms Giuffre ultimately testify and these items prove to be relevant and admissable these items cannot be provided for inspection at trial.’  

Earlier, this month Prince Andrew‘s accuser Ms Giuffre said Buckingham Palace should ‘all hang their heads in shame’ in the wake of the Harry and Meghan interview. 

Ghislaine Maxwell faces new charges during a time when Prince Andrew became friends with Epstein and allegedly had sex three times with one of his victims, Virginia Roberts, allegations the Duke denies. Andrew is pictured with Virginia Roberts, aged 17, and Maxwell in 2001

Giuffre, who alleges she was used for sex by Prince Andrew after being trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein when she was just 17, spoke out on Twitter in support of the Sussexes following their explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey. 

She compared the couple’s treatment to that of the Duke of York, who vehemently denies Giuffre’s claims. 

She said: ‘Well at the very least we know who #meganandharry are talking about when they say that #BuckinghamPalace & #TheFirm protected other royals but wouldn’t protect them & their newborn baby #Archie.

Ghislaine Maxwell was charged with two new counts of sex trafficking conspiracy and sex trafficking of a minor 

According to a new indictment, Maxwell paid the girl hundreds of dollars to give Jeffrey Epstein sexual massages and even sent her lingerie 

It is thought Ms Giuffre (pictured), 37, who currently lives in Australia with her husband and three children, could give evidence alongside victims Maria and Annie Farmer

‘They should all hang their heads in shame.’ 

Giuffre claims she was a victim of Epstein and has alleged she had sex with Prince Andrew at the age of 17 while being trafficked by the late financier. 

Prince Andrew has strenuously denied the claims.  

Prince Andrew’s relationship with Epstein has been called into question and he was forced to step back as a working member of the Royal Family following a car crash BBC interview in 2019.