Prince Andrew has been speaking to Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein
The Duke of York says it was the "wrong thing to do" to stay at the convicted sex offender's home in New York
The prince says he has "no recollection of ever meeting" Virginia Roberts - now Virginia Giuffre - who says she was forced to have sex with him
He says he was at home with his children on the night it is alleged he had sex with Virginia Giuffre
If "push came to shove" the prince says he would testify over allegations regarding his conduct and his links to Jeffrey Epstein
Epstein, 66, took his own life in August while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges
The prince adds that he is not sure why he is perceived as the “party prince”. “I don’t know why I’ve collected that title because… I never have really partied,” he says.
The prince says that “going to Jeffrey’s was not about partying, absolutely not”.
Jonny Dymond
BBC royal correspondent
Worth bearing in mind what an event this is; for Prince Andrew to sit down with a top interviewer and face questions on this issue that has dogged him for so long.
There’s a real opportunity here, for the prince draw a line under the allegations. But there a massive risk too that his answers do not satisfy a really critical public
The prince is asked whether the public perception of his party lifestyle was something he shared with Epstein.
He responds to say he think that’s “a bit of a stretch”.
The prince says Epstein had an “extraordinary ability to bring extraordinary people together”.
He adds that he remembers attending dinner parties hosted by Epstein alongside academics, politicians, and people from the United Nations.
He describes those who attended as “US eminents”.
The prince is asked how he first came to meet Jeffrey Epstein. “All of this goes back to your friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, how did you first become friends? How did you meet?”
Prince Andrew says he first met Epstein through the American’s girlfriend, the socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, in 1999.
The prince says he saw Epstein at most three times a year. He says Epstein would lend his properties to him if he was in the United States, even if the financier was not there.
“But it would be a considerable stretch to say that he was a very, very close friend,” he adds.
Prince Andrew says “there is no good time to talk about Mr Epstein and all things associated” with him.
He adds discussions had been going on with Newsnight for about six months and that the interview is “a very good opportunity”.
Emily Maitlis starts by highlighting the “highly unusual circumstances” of the interview with Prince Andrew.
She begins by asking why the prince has chosen this moment to talk about his links to Jeffrey Epstein.
BBC Newsnight's world-exclusive interview with the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, begins on BBC Two and BBC World News.
Over the next hour, we'll hear testimony from the heart of the British Royal Family.
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Image source, Getty ImagesThe Queen approved tonight’s Newsnight interview with Prince Andrew.
Producers had discussed the prospect of an interview with the prince’s staff for at least six months and talks intensified following Epstein’s death.
Presenter Emily Maitlis said on Friday that approval for the interview came from the highest level – the Queen – on Monday or early on Tuesday. Ms Maitlis sat down to interview the prince on Thursday.
Image source, AFPThe controversy surrounding Epstein and his death in August saw attention turn to some of the American financier’s high-profile connections – including Prince Andrew.
Image source, AFPJeffrey Epstein, a US financier, died in a New York prison cell on 10 August this year as he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges.
It came more than a decade after his conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor, for which he was registered as a sex offender.
The 66-year-old was accused of running a "vast network" of underage girls for sex. He pleaded not guilty.
Who was he?
Welcome to our live coverage as the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, speaks to BBC Newsnight’s Emily Maitlis about his relationship with convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and allegations made about the prince’s own conduct.
The interview for Newsnight was recorded in Buckingham Palace on Thursday and is on air at 21:00 GMT on BBC Two and BBC World News.