She claims she had sex three times with Duke of York when under-age

Prince Andrew's alleged under-age sex slave told how the duke 'didn't act very royally' around her, an ex-boyfriend has claimed.

Anthony Figueroa claimed Virginia Roberts never said anything good about the Duke of York, adding that she felt pressure to sleep with him from paedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein.

The barman, now 32, who dated Miss Roberts at the time, when she was 17, said: 'She said she was scared because she didn't know how angry Jeffrey would get.

'When it came to the Prince, I didn't hear anything good. She said he wasn't acting very royally.'

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Anthony Figueroa (left), the ex-boyfriend of Virginia Roberts (pictured in Colorado this weekend), the woman who alleges that she was Prince Andrew's sex slave, claims she never had a good word to say about the Duke

In an interview with The Sun, Mr Figueroa claimed Miss Roberts called him from a mansion suggesting that Epstein was pressuring her into having sex with Andrew.

He said: 'He (Epstein) was being really pushy. She asked "How do you feel about it?" And I was like "Well obviously you know how I feel about it".'

There is no suggestion Andrew was aware of any pressure being exerted on Miss Roberts.

The extraordinary allegation that the Duke slept with Miss Roberts when she was 17 - a minor under U.S. law - and employed as a 'sex slave' by Epstein was made as part of a U.S. civil case against the shamed billionaire.

Miss Roberts claims she was forced to have sex with Andrew in London, New York and then in an orgy in the Caribbean - allegations the duke 'emphatically denies'.

Allegations: Mr Figueroa claimed Miss Roberts called him from a mansion suggesting that Epstein was pressuring her into having sex with Andrew

Mr Figueroa claims Miss Roberts accompanied Epstein for two weeks out of every month, flying to various destinations.

He said: 'She used to take girls to Jeffrey's house for "massages". She would always ask me to try to find girls for him.'

The father-of-one said he dated Miss Roberts for around 18 months and they spoke about having children, but split when he read her diary extracts detailing her distressing secrets.

The last time he saw her was when Epstein sent to her to a massage school in Thailand, he added.

His comments came as the Duchess of York launched an extraordinary defence of her former husband, describing him as 'the greatest man there is'.

Sarah Ferguson appeared in public for the first time since the Duke of York was accused of having sex with an under-age girl in a US court.

The Duchess has kept a low profile at the luxury Swiss ski chalet where she has been holidaying with Andrew and their younger daughter Eugenie.

But today she emerged from the £22,000-a-week chalet and went for a mountain walk dressed in black sportswear.

Choosing her words carefully, she declined to comment directly on the scandal engulfing her former husband.

Asked by the Daily Mail if she was sticking by the Duke, she replied: ‘The York family is a tight unit. We’ve always been a tight unit.

‘He is the greatest man there is. It was the finest moment of my life in 1986 when I married him. He is a great man, the best man in the world.’

General views of Jeffrey Epstein's private Caribbean island, Little St James, part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, where Miss Roberts claims her third and final sexual encounter with the Duke took place

An aerial view of Jeffrey Epstein's private Caribbean island, Little St James

Sarah made no mention of the £15,000 she received from Epstein in December 2010 to help her pay off her mounting debts.

The deal was struck some 18 months after Epstein was released from jail for soliciting prostitution from under-age girls.

It came within days of the duke flying out to visit Epstein in New York, fuelling speculation he had smoothed the path for his ex-wife to take the money.

Sarah later claimed her judgment had been ‘clouded’ by her desperation to get out of her £5million debt and vowed to repay the money.

The Duke and Duchess separated in 1992 but remain close and regularly go on holiday with each other at the luxury Swiss ski resort of Verbier.

Sarah was with Andrew when he was accused of abusing a girl 'procured' for him by his close friend and convicted paedophile, Jeffrey Epstein.

The extraordinary allegation was made by Virginia Roberts as part of a US civil case against shamed billionaire Epstein.

Sarah Ferguson has come out in defence of her ex-husband, Prince Andrew, insisting: 'He is the greatest man there is.' The Duchess of York has stayed on at the ski resort where she and the Duke were staying with family and friends when the sex scandal broke last week

Looking unbowed by the pressure of recent days, Fergie spoke out in support of her ex-husband as she went on an Alpine walk this afternoon

The 55-year-old Duchess said the day she married Prince Andrew in 1986 was the 'finest moment of my life'

Prince Andrew left the resort yesterday, bound for Britain and talks with the Queen, senior aides and lawyers

She claims Prince Andrew had sex with her when she was 17 - a minor under US law - and employed as a 'sex slave' by Epstein.

Andrew, who spent last week holidaying in the chalet, flew back to the UK by private jet on Sunday afternoon with Eugenie.

Sources say there are no immediate plans for him to travel to Norfolk, where the Queen is in residence until early February, although it was indicated they had spoken by phone.

It is understood that the prince has been fashioning a battle plan with his private secretary, Amanda Thirsk, a former banker who has been trying to rebuild his public image as an unofficial champion for British business.

Royal lawyers Harbottle and Lewis have also been on speed-dial and have written to the British media reminding them of Andrew’s categorical denials of the allegations against him.

Privately, aides continue to insist it is ‘business as usual’ for the prince, whose next public appearance is likely to be at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on January 21.

It is believed that he will also host a reception there in his personal capacity on behalf of business leaders, as he has done in previous years.

A source said: ‘The duke is nothing if not resilient and will not go to ground.’

Fergie had not spoken about the claims until today, when she opened up while walking through the hills

The Duchess, who is still close friends with Andrew despite their split, passionately defended her ex-husband

Serious: Both the Duke of York and his daughter Eugenie looked tense as they were swept away from the chalet yesterday and taken to a private jet

The Queen pictured driving into Sandringham today, is believed to have spoken to Andrew by phone

It is said Miss Roberts (pictured on Saturday) will put her claims in a book which could be released this year

Miss Roberts has not spoken about her claims since details of the court case emerged late last week

Fresh scandal: Prince Andrew pictured in 2001 with Virginia Roberts, who claims in court she was forced to have sex with the Duke of York three times while underage and is said to be planning a book about her life

Andrew was forced to step down from his role as a globe-trotting UK trade ambassador when news of his continuing friendship with Epstein following the paedophile’s release from prison broke in 2010.

The Queen is expected to continue staying in Sandringham, Norfolk until February and she was seen at the country estate today driving her Range Rover.

It is understood Prince Andrew will remain in Windsor for a week - although a trip to see the Queen face-to-face has not been ruled out.

In a strongly-worded statement, a Buckingham Palace spokesman has said: 'It is emphatically denied that the Duke of York had any form of sexual contact or relationship with Virginia Roberts. The allegations made are false and without any foundation.'

FERGIE'S £15,000 DEBT DEAL WITH CONVICTED BUSINESSMAN AT THE CENTRE OF CURRENT COURT CASE Sarah Ferguson was once given £15,000 from paedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein to pay off her debts. The deal was struck in December 2010 after months of negotiations with the disgraced tycoon who insisted on helping with her financial troubles. It came within days of the Duke of York flying out to visit Epstein in New York, fuelling speculation he had smoothed the path for his ex-wife to take the money just 18 months after he was released from jail for soliciting prostitution from under-age girls. The Duchess of York later claimed her judgment had been 'clouded' by her desperation to get out of her £5million debt and vowed to repay the money. But when asked today whether she had paid back the cash, her spokesman told MailOnline: 'No comment'. Fergie's relationship with Epstein has been thrown into the spotlight once again amid the furore over claims Prince Andrew had sex with an under-age girl 'procured' by the disgraced tycoon - an allegation the prince 'emphatically denies'. Advertisement

It emerged this morning that the scandal may be worsened for the Prince if Miss Roberts goes through with plans to put her claims into a book.

MailOnline understands she intends to name American politicians, business executives, foreign presidents and a well-known Prime Minister with whom she claims the Prince's former friend Jeffrey Epstein forced her to sleep.

It is thought Miss Roberts, whose father claimed she has met the Queen, could publish the book this year, which means the scandal shows no sign of abating for the royal family.

Mr Roberts has since withdrawn his claim, saying it was a misunderstanding

The prince – who looked sombre as he left his luxury £22,000-a-week Swiss ski chalet yesterday – today met with his most senior aides and lawyers in his mansion close to Windsor Castle.

Buckingham Palace is said to have conceded the furore 'isn't going to go away' after Prince Andrew returned to Britain following a luxury holiday with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson and daughter Eugenie.

The Duke of York had been locked inside a £22,000-a-week ski lodge in Verbier since he was accused of abusing the girl 'procured' for him by his close friend and convicted paedophile Epstein.

But he left the Swiss resort yesterday afternoon.

The extraordinary allegation made by Virginia Roberts is part of a US civil case against shamed billionaire Epstein. She claims Prince Andrew had sex with her when she was 17 – a minor under US law – and employed as a 'sex slave' by Epstein.

The fifth in line to the throne slept with Miss Roberts at an orgy with other under-age girls on Epstein's private Caribbean island, as well as in a private house in London and in Epstein's New York mansion, according to the court papers.

If Miss Roberts does publish a tell-all book, which expands on the claims she made in court papers, it could be a major embarrassment to Prince Andrew and the Royal Family.

Returning home: His youngest daughter, Princess Eugenie, right, had been staying with him at the chalet with her boyfriend Jack Brooksbank

Prince Andrew pictured in 2011 with multi-millionaire Jeffrey Epstein, who is at the centre of the new case

Virginia Roberts, left, says she was the U.S. businessman's 'sex slave'. Honor Symes (right), who lived in Miss Roberts' former home in Australia, says she is a 'totally believable' mother who would not make up stories

Prince Andrew is believed to be holed up in his Royal Lodge home in Windsor Park, Berkshire

It could also lead to the naming of other high profile people and could lead to further police investigations and to some prosecutions.

MailOnline was told today by one of Ms Roberts' closest friends that she had started planning the book at least a year ago, before she and her husband Robert decided to move from Australia to the United States, her native country.

But until today, when MailOnline broke news of the scandal to a number of her friends who had not read about it, her friends and neighbours had regarded her as just one of the mothers who were bound together by their children attending the same school in New South Wales.

SEX SLAVE MASSEUSE DESCRIBES IN HER OWN WORDS HOW SHE WAS FLOWN ACROSS THE WORLD TO MEET PRINCE ANDREW Virginia Roberts said she was recruited as Epstein's sex slave when she was just 15 and paid $200 a time for an 'erotic massage' for him and his friends. Now a married mother of three living in Australia, Virginia alleged that her services were offered to a number of politicians, businessmen and international statesmen. She also met Prince Andrew. The first time was at the London house of Ghislaine Maxwell, daughter of the disgraced former media tycoon Robert Maxwell. The second time was at Epstein's grand New York townhouse and the third on Epstein's private Caribbean island. It was reported that she was flown across the world to be introduced to the Prince. On one of those occasions Virginia Roberts was subsequently paid $15,000 (£9,400). One picture, said to have been taken by Epstein during Andrew's first encounter with the girl in March 2001 shows the Prince with his arm around her waist. Describing what happened she said Epstein invited her to accompany him on a six-week trip in 2001. They flew to Paris, then Spain, then Tangier and finally, they went to London. 'After we landed, we drove straight to Ghislaine's Maxwell's house' and 'was given a small upstairs bedroom,' Virginia said. She said: 'The following morning, Ghislaine came in. She was chirpy and jumped on the bed saying, 'Get up, sleepyhead. You've got a big day. We've got to go shopping. You need a dress as you're going to dance with a Prince tonight.' 'She said I needed to be 'smiley' and bubbly because he was the Queen's son. 'Ghislaine and I went to Burberry, where she bought me a £5,000 bag, and to a few other designer stores where we bought a couple of dresses, a pair of embroidered jeans and a pink singlet, perfume and make-up,' she said. 'We got back to Ghislaine's house at around 4pm and I ran straight upstairs to shower and dress. 'When I went downstairs, Ghislaine and Jeffrey were in the lounge. There was a knock at the door. Ghislaine led Andrew in and we kissed each other on the cheek. 'Ghislaine served tea from a porcelain pot and biscuits. She knew Sarah Ferguson and they talked fondly about Andrew's daughters. 'Then Ghislaine asked Andrew how old he thought I was and he guessed 17'. The four of them went out to dinner and on to Tramp nightclub where, she says, Andrew danced with her. 'After about an hour-and-a-half, we drove back to Ghislaine's. All of us went upstairs and I asked Jeffrey to snap a picture of me with the Prince. I wanted something to show my Mom. Ghislaine and Jeffrey left us after that, and later Andrew left'. Advertisement

'The fact that she never boasted or talked about it to any of us to my knowledge lends credibility to what she went through in my estimation,' said Kate Kirton who formed a close friendship with Ms Roberts because each of their three children went to the same school and were the same ages - eight, six and three.

'She was probably the most open, friendly person you could care to meet.

'There is no way she could be regarded as a fantasist or anything like that. She was the kind of person who told things as they were - very ordinary, very likeable.'

But there was that moment when, in a passing conversation on a school day, Ms Roberts mentioned she had started writing a book.

'I never asked her what it was about, but now following what I've been reading about her, it all fits in - she is writing about what she went through, because what else would she be writing about?'

The high probability that Ms Roberts is writing her disturbing life story will come as bad news for Buckingham Palace - should details of her alleged encounters with the Duke of York go into print.

Buckingham Palace has strenuously denied that Prince Andrew was involved illegally with Ms Roberts but in Australia she still has friends who believe her story.

Until she and her husband Robert, who works on the fringe of the clothing industry, moved to Florida with their children more than a year ago, they lived in a bungalow-style home close the sea in New South Wales.

That house is now occupied by Honor Symes , who told Mail Online today that she considers Miss Roberts as being a 'totally believable' mother who would have no cause to make up stories.

'In any of our conversations before she returned to the US I found her to be a very pleasant woman but I must say I am shocked to hear of her background.'

The house was actually purchased from Miss Roberts by Ms Symes' sister, who then sold it to her own sister.

'My sister wanted to move closer to Sydney, so I'm here now,' she said. 'I've had quite a few conversations with Ginny (Virginia) but just about everyday things, you know, the children, the school, that kind of thing.'

Last night her father said Prince Andrew should be prosecuted if the claims were true.

Sky Roberts, 58, also claimed his daughter Virginia had been introduced to the Queen while visiting London with billionaire financier Jeffrey Epstein.

The sexual allegations were robustly denied by Buckingham Palace in an unprecedented three public statements, which describe them as 'false and without foundation'.

A spokesman also insisted about allegations about meeting the Queen last night: 'There is nothing to suggest the claim is true. We have no record of such a meeting.'

Sources close to the prince admitted he had been 'guilty of a poor choice of friend', with one saying: 'I don't think anyone, not even the duke himself, would defend that friendship.'

There were also questions last night over the extraordinary legal deal that it is thought to have resulted in Prince Andrew – as well as other associates of Epstein – having immunity from any future prosecution.

According to a former Florida state attorney, the controversial deal was struck amid an astonishing and aggressive campaign by Epstein's lawyers to defend their client against claims of depraved activities.

The deal meant Epstein – who was suspected for decades of paying for sex with dozens of under-age girls – was only ever convicted and jailed for 18 months on a single charge of soliciting paid sex with minors in 2008.

Documents filed at a court in Florida further allege that Prince Andrew was among those who made 'efforts' to secure the paedophile a favourable deal.

Facing the music: Pursing his lips pensively, Prince Andrew walked to his car in full view of photographers

Crisis talks: The royal, above, is expected to speak with his most senior aides and lawyers today

The deal meant Epstein – who was suspected for decades of paying for sex with dozens of under-age girls – was only ever convicted and jailed for 18 months on a single charge of soliciting paid sex with minors in 2008.

Documents filed at a court in Florida further allege that Prince Andrew was among those who made 'efforts' to secure the paedophile a favourable deal.

THE PALACE'S FOUR DENIALS FRIDAY: 'This relates to long-standing and ongoing civil proceedings in the United States, to which the Duke of York is not a party. As such we would not comment on the detail. However, for the avoidance of doubt, any suggestion of impropriety with underage minors is categorically untrue.' SATURDAY AFTERNOON: 'A very serious allegation, of sex with a minor, was levelled at the duke in a legal document submitted to a US court. The earlier statement categorically rejected that claim; and as was indicated at the time, we do not intend to comment further.' SATURDAY EVENING: In response to specific claims about Andrew's alleged conduct: 'It is emphatically denied that the Duke of York had any form of sexual contact or relationship with Virginia Roberts. Any claim to the contrary is false and without foundation.' SUNDAY EVENING: Miss Roberts' father claimed his daughter had been introduced to the Queen - again denied in a statement by the Palace before reiterating the sexual claims are 'without foundation'. Advertisement

The legal claim refers to 'Epstein's lobbying efforts to persuade the [US] Government to give him a more favourable plea arrangement and/or non-prosecution agreement, including efforts on his behalf by Prince Andrew'. This has been strongly denied by the Palace, with an official telling the Mail yesterday: 'The duke would never interfere in an active legal case and did not do so in this case.'

Last night police sources were reported to have said they would investigate if Miss Roberts made a formal complaint against the prince. A Metropolitan Police spokesman told the Daily Telegraph: 'We have not received any allegations. If we did receive a complaint we would investigate it.'

Andrew has spent the past week holidaying in the upmarket Swiss ski resort of Verbier with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, their daughter, Princess Eugenie, and pals including Prince Harry's ex-girlfriend, Cressida Bonas.

The prince, who is a keen skier, did not leave the chalet for the last two days of his holiday after the scandal broke.

Pursing his lips pensively yesterday, Prince Andrew walked to his car in full view of waiting photographers, followed a few minutes later by Eugenie, to ensure they were not in the same picture.

Andrew has no immediate public engagements in his diary but the Mail understands that he still plans to fly to Davos in Switzerland for the World Economic Forum on January 21. Sources say he will host a reception there for foreign ministers on behalf of the British Government as part of a 'business as usual' strategy.

One senior royal aide said: 'There is no suggestion that this will be changed or cancelled. He is pushing forward with his existing schedule.'

Another source said Andrew felt 'frustrated' by the scandal, but decided that the seriousness of the allegations being made left him 'no option but to speak out'.

The source added: 'The duke's integrity is of utmost importance to him and he felt that was being traduced. We are working in very extraordinary circumstances and the decision was that a line needed to be drawn in the sand.'

Prince Andrew's 22-bedroom hideaway has giant private pool, luxury sauna and wild party room where Harry wooed Cressida

Prince Andrew was staying in an opulent £22,000-a-week chalet at the exclusive Swiss ski resort of Verbier when the sex scandal broke.

The Duke of York was joined by his former wife Sarah Ferguson, their younger daughter Eugenie and Prince Harry's ex-girlfriend Cressida Bonas for the luxurious jaunt.

Located in one of the most exclusive and remote parts of Verbier, it boasts seven bedrooms, its own heated indoor swimming pool with an opulent entertaining area and a sauna.

The Duke has used the chalet to host his own birthday parties in previous years and it is also the location where Prince Harry romanced Cressida.

Break: Prince Andrew was staying in this luxury chalet in the Swiss ski resort of Verbier when the sex scandal broke

Denial: Allegations were robustly denied by Buckingham Palace in an unprecedented three public statements

Furore: The scandal showed no signs of abating as Prince Andrew, left, and Princess Eugenie left the chalet with her boyfriend Jack Brooksbank.

The 54-year-old Duke of York is understood to have paid for the hire of the chalet out of his own private fortune.

Looking pensive and deep in thought, he left the chalet yesterday afternoon and was driven to a nearby airport where he boarded a private plane back to Britain with Eugenie, 24, and her boyfriend Jack Brooksbank.

In February 2013 Prince Harry was spotted hugging Cressida on the nearby ski slopes and the pair are understood to have shared a room at the chalet.

Harry splashed out £300 on a pair of designer snow boots for Cressida during that trip.

The Canadian-made Manitobah Mukluks Aboriginal grey boots are made from suede and rabbit fur and lined with sheepskin shearling.

And although the pair have since split, Cressida was invited back this time because she remains a close friend of Eugenie's.

As well as a sauna and party room, the huge chalet boasts a swimming pool with windows onto the snow

Interior pictures of the wooden ski lodge show it is decorated in an Alpine style, with a large fireplace

During Prince Andrew's most-recent stay, the royals were guarded by five protection officers – funded by taxpayers – who regularly drove them to the ski lifts and to restaurants.

The grand, old-fashioned wooden chalet hired by the Queen's son boasts an extensive terrace area with stunning views of the Swiss Alps.

The master bedroom has its own en-suite bathroom and is draped in fur throws. It also boasts a sumptuous living room, littered with antiques and artworks, in which a roaring fire is lit each afternoon to welcome guests home from a hard afternoon on the slopes.

Afternoon tea and cakes are provided by the property's on-site chef.

The chalet also has its own ski changing room so visitors can ski from the slopes to the privacy of their own home, without mixing with hoi polloi.

The piece de resistance, however, has to be its 650 foot square pool room with floor to ceiling windows offering unrivalled views out over the mountains.

This stunning room has its own bar where the royals have held several lively house parties on previous visits.

In the same year Sarah Ferguson lost more than two stone during a 12-week stay at the chalet.

The Duchess of York showed off a svelte figure after embarking on a relentless regime with her personal trainer Josh Salzmann.

The 55-year-old stuck to a strict diet of blended foods and intensive workouts, including daily running and mountain hikes.

At the time the mother-of-two said: 'I went up to the mountains, and I ran every day. That's how I got fit.'

The Duchess is understood to have stayed behind at the chalet after Andrew and Eugenie left yesterday.