Prince Andrew has avoided questions from the media in Perth amid controversy surrounding his links with the late billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
The Duke of York is in the West Australian capital as part of a trip to host two events for entrepreneurial program Pitch@Palace Australia 3.0.
In the video above: Prince Andrew headed to Murdoch University
He hosted the first of two events on Wednesday but the media was invited only to take photos from a distance as he arrived at Murdoch University.
Despite being keen to promote the program in previous years, at this appearance the prince did not take any questions.
Prince Andrew arrives at Murdoch University in Perth. Credit: AAP
The media is not invited to the second event that will be held at Government House on Friday.
The Duke’s visit has been overshadowed by the Epstein scandal as the trip comes amid reports the FBI has decided to expand its investigation.
Epstein took his own life in a New York prison cell in August where he was being detained over charges of sex trafficking teenage girls.
Despite their friendship, the prince has consistently denied having any knowledge of the disgraced billionaire's crimes involving the alleged trafficking and sexual abuse of underage girls.
Following Epstein’s suicide, The Duke issued a statement explaining he regretted meeting up with Epstein in 2010 after he was released from prison.
The prince has denied all allegations against him.
However, an image of Andrew with Virginia Roberts Giuffre from 2001 continues to dog him.
Prince Andrew and Virginia Giuffre, then known as Virginia Roberts, along with Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell. Credit: Florida Southern District Court
Giuffre has alleged Andrew was one of several powerful men she was directed to have sex with by Epstein - while she 15.
The Sunday Times newspaper in the UK said the FBI expects to interview alleged trafficking victims over the next two months adding that Scotland Yard is ready to help.
Scotland Yard previously held an investigation after Giuffre made the allegations against the prince, but that probe was dropped in 2015.
The Duke has denied all allegations against him, saying they are "without foundation".
SouthBeachCandids on October 5th, 2019 at 22:54 UTC »
He hasn't "avoided" questions. The media just isn't asking any questions. And not just about Prince Andrew. Epstein Case is probably one of the biggest news stories of the past century and there isn't a single news outlet in the West asking even the most basic question. Where did Epstein get his money? What is up with Les Wexner and his ridiculous assertion that Epstein "stole" hundreds of millions of dollars from him? Where is Ghilslaine Maxwell? Is she even alive? I mean, forget about Prince Andrew. Epstein's bosses and their accomplices in the media have completely shut this entire discussion down.
8976r7 on October 5th, 2019 at 21:29 UTC »
Just a reminder that Prince Charles has ties to prolific pedophile Jimmy Savile. Savile's exploits were KNOWN to all the doctors and nurses at the children's hospital he was allowed to oversee (and where he lived and regularly molested the patients) but there was nothing they could do because he was protected. Charles even got mommy to knight Savile.
The royals are disgusting people who know they can get away with anything they want. and they do.
Edit: because some people don't know/believe: https://www.thedailybeast.com/jimmy-savile-scandal-reaches-prince-charles
Grimalkin on October 5th, 2019 at 21:05 UTC »
It's interesting how he seems to be the one guy that may or may not experience consequences from this entire situation, when there was apparently many, many other famous names that were also involved but yet they are not even in the conversation or covered in any media stories since Epstein died.