Prince Andrew has reportedly hired an expert extradition lawyer who defended the likes of the dictator Gen. Augusto Pinochet and the fugitive businessman Nirav Modi. Clare Montgomery, QC is one the most respected extradition lawyers in the world and she will be defending the Duke of York against the probe from the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) in the Jeffrey Epstein case.
Montgomery has reportedly been described as "the most formidable member of the bar" in the British legal system. She commands a rate of $1,300-an-hour during consultations.
According to The Telegraph, Prince Andrew hired Montgomery to "fend off" the FBI. Allegedly, he is worried that he will be forced to talk against his friend, the deceased convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Apart from Montgomery, Prince Andrew also hired the criminal defense solicitor Gary Bloxsome, whose expertise is in international crisis management. The Telegraph described Bloxsome as a brilliant lawyer who is sharp as a blade.
Buckingham Palace previously didn't reveal the Duke of York's legal team. However, sources told The Sun that Prince Andrew has been having regular meetings with his lawyers since the Epstein case blew up. Epstein took his own life while incarcerated and awaiting trial in the U.S.
Prince Andrew said during his highly controversial BBC interview in November that he was willing to cooperate with the FBI, should that time come. In January, however, prosecutors said that the royal was ignoring the FBI's attempts to contact him. Buckingham Palace would not comment on the prosecutor's accusation as Prince Andrew's legal team is on the matter.
Since the Epstein scandal escalated, Prince Andrew has been scaling back on his public appearances. It was confirmedearly in March that the Duke of York will not be joining the royal family for its Commonwealth Day service in Windsor. Prince Andrew also had a low-key 60th birthday last February and deferred his military promotion.
The Duke of York, however, will be present at his daughter's wedding day in May. Prince Andrew will be walking Princess Beatrice down the aisle as she exchanges vow with Edoardo Mappelli Mozzi. The royal wedding, however, has live coverage on BBC or ITV but it will be carried in its news programs later in the day.
Prince Andrew officially stepped back from his royal duties in November 2019 after his disastrous interview, where he was supposed to clarify his relationship with Epstein. The royal was friends with the billionaire for over a decade.
