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A friend of Prince Andrew has claimed the photo of him with Jeffrey Epstein's alleged sex slave "doesn't look right, saying the royal's fingers are chubbier.

Virginia Roberts claims she was forced to sleep with the Duke of York, the Queen's second oldest son, when she was just 17 and was famously photographed with him in 2001.

Speaking outside a court hearing in New York yesterday, she said: "He knows what he’s done. I hope he comes clean about it."

Now, a source close to the Duke of York, who has strenuously and repeatedly denied the accusations, claims the Prince has "absolutely no recollection" of the picture being taken - and says there are issues with the snap.

They told the Evening Standard: "Look at his fingers in the photo. The duke has quite chubby fingers, they don’t look right and nor does the height of the duke and the girl."

(Image: Getty)

They say that Andrew's legal team have asked to see the original photo to "carry out their own investigation".

Another senior source told the newspaper said that they believe the allegations against Andrew have amounted to a "witch-hunt".

They said: "Many close to the duke, who know him well, believe this is witch-hunt based on absolutely no evidence. I know that HRH feels deeply for the victims of Epstein but he has no way to respond... other than to continue his denials because he had no knowledge of them.”

Another source added: "He is guilty only of showing misplaced loyalty to a friend and a lack of judgment in his choice of friend. He accepts that was a mistake and has apologised for that."

The source claims there are several inaccuracies in her testimony, including the fact that they enjoyed cocktails together when Andrew is teetotal.

On Sunday Andrew released an official statement on his relationship with Epstein, claiming what he knew of him "was evidently not the real person".

Breaking his silence following a string of reports about his alleged links to the financier, Andrew expressed his "tremendous sympathy" for Epstein's victims.

The statement read: "It is apparent to me since the suicide of Mr Epstein that there has been an immense amount of media speculation about so much in his life. This is particularly the case in relation to my former association or friendship with Mr Epstein.

"Therefore I am eager to clarify the facts to avoid further speculation."

He continued: "I met Mr Epstein in 1999. During the time I knew him, I saw him infrequently and probably no more than only once or twice a year. I have stayed in a number of his residences.

(Image: AFP/Getty Images) (Image: Getty Images)

"At no stage during the limited time I spent with him did I see, witness or suspect any behaviour of the sort that subsequently led to his arrest and conviction.

"I have said previously that it was a mistake and an error to see him after his release in 2010 and I can only reiterate my regret that I was mistaken to think that what I thought I knew of him was evidently not the real person, given what we now know. I have tremendous sympathy for all those affected by his actions and behaviour.

"His suicide has left many unanswered questions and I acknowledge and sympathise with everyone who has been affected and wants some form of closure.

"This is a difficult time for everyone involved and I am at a loss to be able to understand or explain Mr Epstein's lifestyle. I deplore the exploitation of any human being and would not condone, participate in, or encourage any such behaviour."

Virginia Roberts, who alleges she had sex with the Duke of York three times, spoke outside Manhattan Federal Court on Tuesday where victims of billionaire financier Jeffrey Epstein had been invited by a judge to speak ahead of an expected ruling to formally dismiss the case following his suicide.

After the hearing, Roberts said: “I was recruited at a very young age and entrapped in a world that I didn’t understand. I will never be silenced until these people are brought to justice.”

Previously, a judge threw out her allegations against him because they were “immaterial and impertinent”.

The Prince has strongly denied any “sexual contact or relationship” with Roberts.

Earlier in court, Roberts claimed that Epstein and socialite Ghislaine Maxwell committed “dark and cruel criminal acts” against her.

It is the first time that Maxwell, 57, has been named in a court of being complicit in Epstein’s abuse.

(Image: Stewart Mark/Camera Press)

At the hearing, many of the women, who were preyed on as teenagers, asked prosecutors to bring his co-conspirators to justice.

One said: “They need to be held accountable. He did not act alone.”

Investigators allege Epstein’s abuse was abetted by a number of unidentified co-conspirators who are suspected of providing him with a stream of girls.

None of them have been publicly named or charged with any offence.

But prosecutor, Maureen Comen, said: “This dismissal in no way deters the government’s resolve in seeking justice.”

Courtney Wild, who was 14 when he began abusing her in Palm Beach, Florida, branded Epstein a “coward”.

She told the court: “He robbed myself and all the other victims of our day in court, and for that he is a coward.”

Epstein was jailed in 2008 after pleading guilty to procuring teenagers for prostitution. Under a plea deal he was jailed for 18 months but served only 13 – most of it on day release.

Before his death he was awaiting trial on charges of child sex trafficking.

A spokesman for Maxwell said: “The allegations made against Ghislaine are untrue,” and she “strongly denies allegations of an unsavoury nature.”