In the heart of Valletta, the sun beats down on the Grandmaster’s Palace, a stark contrast to the chilly reception Prince Andrew might face in the UK. Today, news has broken that British police are ready to probe a sexual misconduct claim against the Duke of York, with ties to Malta.

The Claim: A Night at the Spitafields

At the centre of the storm is a claim by Virginia Giuffre, who alleges she was forced to have sex with Prince Andrew at the London home of Jeffrey Epstein’s former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, in 2001. Giuffre, then 17, claims she was trafficked by Epstein and Maxwell. The night in question, she says, ended with a photo of her, Andrew, and Maxwell at Maxwell’s London townhouse in Belgravia.

Malta Connection: A Night at the Portomaso

But it’s not just London that features in Giuffre’s allegations. She claims that, in 2008, she was forced to have sex with the Prince again, this time at the luxury Portomaso Tower in St. Julian’s, Malta. Giuffre was 17 at the time, and Malta’s age of consent is 18. If proven, this could have significant legal implications for the Prince.

Malta’s connection to the case doesn’t stop there. Ghislaine Maxwell, who is awaiting trial in the US on charges related to Epstein’s sex trafficking ring, has been reported to have ties to the island. In 2016, it was reported that Maxwell had been living in a luxury villa in the village of Għar Lapsi, on the south coast of Malta.

The Investigation Begins

Until now, British police have been reluctant to investigate Giuffre’s claims, citing lack of evidence and the fact that the alleged crimes occurred overseas. But with the US Department of Justice now involved, and Giuffre’s legal team threatening to sue the Metropolitan Police, the UK’s national policing lead on child abuse, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Paul Steatham, has confirmed that they are ready to investigate.

This could have significant implications for Prince Andrew. While the UK’s Crown Prosecution Service has previously said that the Duke’s co-operation with US authorities would be a “significant factor” in any decision to charge him, a probe by the Met could change that.

For Malta, this could also shine a spotlight on the island’s reputation as a safe haven for the wealthy and powerful. With high-profile figures like Maxwell and, allegedly, Prince Andrew, having connections to the island, it’s a reputation that could be at risk.

As the investigation begins, one thing is clear: the sun might be shining on the Grandmaster’s Palace in Valletta, but the storm clouds are gathering for Prince Andrew. And Malta, it seems, is right in the eye of the storm.