LONDON Jan. 2 (People’s Daily Online) —— A woman has alleged in Florida court that she was repeatedly forced to have sexual relations with Prince Andrew, Duke of York.

She claims that between 1999 and 2002 she was forced by American investment banker Jeffrey Epstein to have sex with the prince when she was a minor.

The anonymous woman is understood to have been 17 at the time, which is a minor under Florida law.

Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: "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 under age minors is categorically untrue".

Prince Andrew and Epstein have known each other for years, often travelling together and staying at one another’s properties. Epstein was sentenced to 18 months in prison for soliciting paid sex with a 14-year-old girl and is now a registered sex offender, the Independent reported.