Prince Andrew arrives in Australia amid scandal

Prince Andrew has landed in Australia for business meetings as the scandal surrounding his friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein continues to follow him.

Prince Andrew has flown into Perth for business meetings as the scandal surrounding his friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein continues to follow him.

The Duke Of York landed on Monday night for his “working visit”, Buckingham Palace confirmed.

Andrew has been dogged by his friendship with Epstein, who committed suicide in a New York jail before his child sex trafficking trial.

Virginia Roberts Giuffre claimed on US television that she had sex with Andrew when she was a teenager after being introduced by Epstein.

Prince Andrew arrives into Perth airport for Pitch at Palace event. Picture: 9News

The Duke has denied the pair had a sexual relationship and that he had been involved in any wrongdoing.

However, he was photographed with his arm around the waist of Ms Roberts Giuffre when she was a teenager.

Prince Andrew has been plagued by scandal. Picture: 9News

It comes amid reports that the FBI was due to interview Andrew over his friendship with Epstein within two months.

French police are also reportedly investigating Andrew’s visits to Epstein’s Paris property.

Jeffrey Epstein’s friendship with Prince Andrew has caused a royal scandal. Picture: Supplied

Virginia Roberts Giuffre claims she had sex with Prince Andrew after being introduced to him by Jeffrey Epstein. Picture: Getty

Buckingham Palace confirmed Andrew’s trip to Perth.

“The Duke of York is currently on a working visit to Perth. During this visit HRH will host both the Boot Camp and main event of Pitch@Palace Australia 3.0, which will encourage and support entrepreneurship in Australia, and provide international support and development opportunities for these early-stage businesses,” the palace said.

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“One of The Duke’s core areas of focus is to support and raise the profile of start-up businesses, and to act as an accelerant for entrepreneurs and new businesses.”

After three On Tour Events across the country we have nine confirmed #Entrepreneurs for Pitch@Palace 12.0!

📍Sheffield: https://t.co/UqLCDQqaa6
📍Surrey: https://t.co/GKGlsRjktv
📍Newport: https://t.co/p50hJMcf95

The final 33 Entrepreneurs will be announced in a few days! 🤞 pic.twitter.com/9SS38bZWHp

— Pitch@Palace (@pitchatpalace) September 25, 2019

The palace added: “In five years, 931 businesses have become part of the global Pitch@Palace family, creating 5,977 jobs and over £1113 million ($A2026 million) of economic activity.

“The program has held events or worked with Entrepreneurs from 62 countries across China, ASEAN, the Middle East, North America, Africa, Australia, Latin America and Europe.”

Andrew last visited Australia in December 2018.

He had cancelled other engagements in Northern Ireland after news of the scandal broke.

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Originally published as Prince Andrew arrives in Australia amid scandal