Why Sarah Ferguson Might Have To Testify In Court
The following article includes allegations of sexual assault.
As the mounting case against Prince Andrew continues to gain momentum, the Duke's infamous sexual assault allegations may be headed to court in New York and the list of people who could be subpoenaed is a lengthy one. Among those who may be forced to testify in court is Andrew's ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson.
Prince Andrew has been accused of alleged sexual assault against Jeffrey Epstein's victim, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, multiple times (per CNN). In 2019, Giuffre alleged that not only was she a victim of the late Epstein, but also Prince Andrew, who she says assaulted her three times. Buckingham Palace dispute the claims, stating, "It is emphatically denied that The Duke of York had any form of sexual contact or relationship with Virginia Roberts. Any claim to the contrary is false and without foundation."
Following the allegations, Andrew distanced himself from royal duties and spent much of the summer at the Queen's Scotland residence. However, that didn't prevent the courts from serving him. On September 10, released public documents showed that Andrew was officially served with a lawsuit on August 27 at his home in Windsor. Served at 9:30 a.m., this lawsuit from Virginia Roberts Giuffre alleges that Andrew forced "her to have sex with him three times between 1999 and 2002," People reported. With papers finally being served, the duke just might get his day in court; and with him, many of his known associates.
Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson
Throughout the saga of his allegations, Prince Andrew has maintained his innocence. In a "BBC Newsnight" interview, the Duke leaned on his daughter as an alibi, stating that he was at a Pizza Express in Woking with her on the night that Virginia Roberts Giuffre says he allegedly assaulted her in London (per Daily Mail). In the coming days, Andrew is expected to hand over "personal documents" in proceedings that will likely involve his relatives and aides, per The Telegraph.
Andrew's ex-wife Sarah Ferguson could be one such person who is required to testify, and odds are she will side with him in court. During the scandal, Sarah Ferguson has remained loyal to her ex-husband and the two are reported to have a close relationship since their divorce in 1996, (per Vanity Fair). Speaking with Vogue Arabia in 2019, Ferguson had nothing but support for Andrew.
"When I talk about Prince Andrew, I talk about family because the last six months have been hard on the girls and me," she said. "To see such a wonderful man go through such enormous pain. He is the best man I know. It's just incredible what he has done for Britain, and it's all nonsense [her voice raises as she alludes to the Epstein scandal], so I talk about familyhood, and I'm very strong about it."
Should she find herself in court with her ex-husband, signs indicate that she will be his champion and nothing less.
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).