A SCOTTISH actress who appeared in a TV movie about the Royal Family has spoken in support of Prince Andrew over allegations he had sex with a minor.

 

Louise Linton, who played a friend of Kate Middleton in the Channel 5 film about her romance with her future husband, Prince William, recently met the Duke of York at fundraising events in the US, including a charity dinner in Beverly Hills.

Buckingham Palace has vehemently denied the allegation, contained in US court documents, that Prince Andrew had a sexual relationship with the woman, named as Virginia Roberts, while she was still under the age of consent.

There is speculation that Prince Andrew may make a statement during his first public engagement since the claims emerged two weeks ago, when he appears at the World Economic Summit in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday.

Ms Linton, from Edinburgh, said despite the nature of the allegations, the Prince Andrew was totally focused on his charity work when they met at a fundraising dinner for a foundation set up by Grammy Award winning artist and The Voice judge, Will.i.am.

She added "It was a lively evening and Andrew was, as always, very charming, polite and interesting.

"While I cannot speak directly about the serious allegations against him I can certainly say that in person, he comes across as a man of integrity, with an honourable manner.

"Certainly, throughout the evening he showed very real sensitivity and empathy for those who benefit from the charity he was there to support that evening."

Ms Roberts is alleged to have been procured for the prince by American billionaire and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who she accuses of using her as a "sex slave".

Ms Linton, who is now based in Hollywood, trained at Edinburgh Drama Academy before studying at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts.

She has been tipped for stardom in the US, and has numerous credits under her belt, including the long-running show CSI: New York.

She has also been cast to star in an upcoming biopic of the eccentric mogul Howard Hughes, directed by Warren Beatty.