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Prince Andrew said it was a "regret" to see Jeffrey Epstein after his release from prison and claims what he knew of him "was evidently not the real person".

The Duke of York today issued a fresh statement over his friendship with the convicted paedophile. He has faced intense scrutiny since his billionaire pal took his own life in prison on August 10.

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

He denied he ever suspected "any behaviour of the sort" from his former friend and reiterated that it was a "mistake" seeing Epstein, 66, after the American's release from an 18-month prison term in 2010 for prostituting minors.

In a statement, Andrew said: "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."

(Image: Getty Images)

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.

"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."

Andrew, 59, was notoriously photographed with his arm around alleged "sex slave" Virginia Giuffre, then Roberts, when she was 17.

But the Duke has denied sleeping with her and friends insist while he may be known as "Randy Andy", he "is not into young girls".

A source reportedly told The Sun: "He has an eye for a pretty woman and if you added up all his girlfriends and liaisons over the years it would come to way over a thousand.

"But the Duke is not into teenage girls and why would he be? The most beautiful women in the world find him appealing and amusing.

"He was known as Randy Andy for a reason when he was younger and it's never really stopped."

The friends reportedly described Andrew as a "charmer" who enjoyed the stability of a close relationship with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson while continuing to play the field "like a sailor with a girl in every port".

The reports of his alleged sex life have arisen as a former police officer claimed Andrew "abused" his ­position at the Palace when it came to having female visitors.

Paul Page alleged Epstein’s "madam" Ghislaine Maxwell made frequent trips to the royal ­household, along with others.

He claimed they would rarely sign the Palace's official gate book, and royal ­protection officers would break the rules by driving them home and Andrew would become abusive if challenged.