Prince Andrew bid to rejoin royals would have been ‘upsetting’ for Virginia before death, says Epstein victims’ lawyer

VIRGINIA Giuffre would have been “very upset” by Prince Andrew’s bid to rejoin the royal fold, a lawyer for Jeffrey Epstein’s victims has said.

Days before Virginia, 41, was found dead, the Duke of York was seen joining the King at Windsor Castle for a service on Easter Sunday.

The Mega Agency

Prince Andrew pictured at Windsor Castle on Easter Sunday[/caption]

AFP

Andrew, left, claims this photo of him with Virginia and Ghislaine Maxwell was ‘doctored’[/caption]

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Virginia Giuffre, with a photo of herself as a teenager[/caption]

It was his first public appearance in a year, and it could have been “upsetting” for Virginia – who accused Andrew, 65, of sexually abusing her when she was 17.

Lisa Bloom, who represents eight of vile Epstein‘s victims, told The Sun: “It’s always triggering for my clients to see pictures of somebody they say abused them, especially just out living a good life.

“It’s very upsetting. I generally tell my clients don’t follow him. Don’t follow the news about him.

“But when it’s a high profile person, that’s very difficult because the news sometimes finds you, even if you’re not looking for it.

“So it very possibly could have triggered her. We may not ever know unless she told somebody or had a journal.

“We just may not know, but I’m sure it was upsetting to her if she saw it.”

Mum-of-three Virginia was found dead was found dead at her remote farm home in Neergabby, Western Australia, on the night of April 25.

Her family said she took her own life as they hailed her as a “fierce warrior”.

They added: “She was heroic and will always be remembered for her incredible courage and loving spirit.

“In the end, the toll of abuse is so heavy that it became unbearable for Virginia to handle its weight. We know that she is with the angels.”

Five days before her death, Andrew appeared jovial and confident at an Easter Sunday service, joining the King and Queen for photos.

But the reclusive prince missed his regular Saturday morning horse-ride on the Windsor estate as Virginia’s sudden death was announced.

Virginia was a victim of convicted paedophile Epstein and his enabler Ghislaine Maxwell – and claims she was trafficked to Andrew.

She sued Andrew in 2021, claiming she was forced to have sex with the Duke on three occasions when she was a teen.

Virginia alleged was made to have sex with Andrew for the first time at Maxwell’s house in London after a night out at the club Tramp.

The mum also claimed she was forced to have sex with the Duke on at least two further occasions by Maxwell and Epstein.

The royal has always vehemently denied allegations.

In 2022, he paid millions in an out of court settlement to Virginia – without any admission of guilt.

The King’s brother released a statement saying he “regrets his association with Epstein” and “commends the bravery of Ms Giuffre and other survivors”.

Andrew, however, still dodges calls to tell the FBI what he knows about Epstein, who died in prison while awaiting trial in 2019.

Bloom has now warned that Virginia’s death could lead to more heartbreak for other victims.

The top attorney said sexual abuse victims often suffer from low self-esteem for life – which some never get over.

She said: “Sexual abuse and sex trafficking victims have very high rates of suicide, and many of my clients have talked to me about it.

“I have lost a client to suicide.

“I don’t know what it is about sexual abuse that makes women victims feel like they’re not worthy of living, their self esteem is just destroyed.

“Even someone like Virginia, who was very loved in the sexual assault community… that she would feel so low that she took her own life. Sadly very, very common.”

AP

Disgraced financier Epstein died in jail in 2019[/caption]

Virginia Giuffre

Virginia shared a worrying photo of herself from her hospital bed covered in bruises weeks before her death[/caption]

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Attorney Lisa Bloom, whose clients include victims of Epstein[/caption]

Lisa insisted “there is still a lot of work to do” to protect sexual abuse victims.

She added: “I hope everybody knows that it does get better, that life has highs and lows, and if you can get past the lows, it usually will improve and get better.

“And remember the people who love you, and who care about you, your family, your friends, and I always tell my client don’t let him win.

“Living a good life is your best revenge. Living a good, happy life that you deserve is the best thing you can do to overcome, but not everybody can.”

Virginia’s death came weeks after she was treated in an Australian hospital following a bus crash.

She sparked alarm last month after posting a bruised snap from her hospital bed, claiming she had just “four days to live”.

But the story took a twist when Western Australian Police described the crash as minor and said no major injuries were reported.

She later claimed the incident was blown out of proportion due to a misunderstanding.

Her father Sky Roberts clarified: “Doctors told Virginia she would have died within four days had she not received medical treatment.”