Could Meghan Markle Testify Against Prince Andrew?
This article contains allegations of sexual assault.
More trouble potentially lies in wait for Prince Andrew. Reportedly Queen Elizabeth's favorite son, the youngest of her bunch found himself engulfed in controversy after his disastrous interview surrounding late friend and convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Sitting down with BBC's "Newsnight" in 2019, the Duke of York revealed that he met with Epstein in 2010 — one year after Epstein served time for soliciting minors for prostitution — in order to break their friendship off.
"I had a number of people counsel me in both directions, either to go and see him or not to go and see him," Andrew revealed (via MamaMia). "I took the [judgment] call that because this was serious and I felt that doing it over the telephone was the chicken's way of doing it. I had to go and see him and talk to him," he continued. Andrew notably stayed at Epstein's New York City residence for the four days that followed. When asked why, he admitted "fully that my [judgment] was probably [colored] by my tendency to be too [honorable], but that's just the way it is."
Since then, Andrew has stepped down from royal duties. He was also accused of child sex abuse by Virginia Giuffre, who alleges she was a minor at the time, per BBC. In August, Giuffre filed a civil case against Andrew. Now, the Duke of York may have some royal troubles brewing in the pipeline — and Meghan Markle may have to testify against him.
Officials may depose Meghan Markle as part of Prince Andrew's civil case
Prince Andrew has fallen under the microscope following his controversial interview surrounding former friend and late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Duke of York's troubles worsened when Virginia Giuffre, an alleged victim of Epstein's sex trafficking, accused him of sexually abusing her when she was under 18.
Giuffre would eventually file a civil case against Andrew, stating, "Twenty years ago Prince Andrew's wealth, power, position, and connections enabled him to abuse a frightened, vulnerable child with no one there to protect her." (via BBC). Though Andrew has denied the claims, his troubles may now worsen as Giuffre's attorney, David Boies, may seek to depose "close associate" Meghan Markle.
"She is somebody we can count on to tell the truth [for three reasons]," the attorney told The Daily Beast. "One; she is in the U.S. so we have jurisdiction over her," he continued, adding, "Two; she is somebody who obviously, at least for a period of time, was a close associate of Prince Andrew and hence is in a position to perhaps have seen what he did, and perhaps if not to have seen what he did to have heard people talk about it. Because of her past association with him, she may very well have important knowledge, and will certainly have some knowledge." As for the last point, Boise noted, "She is somebody who we can count on to tell the truth. She checks all three boxes," he concluded.
Giuffre's lawyer could call on other royal family members to testify, including Andrew's brother Prince Charles. Queen Elizabeth will most likely not be asked to testify, Boies explained, "out of respect and deference, and her age."
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).