Buckingham Palace denied allegations against Prince Andrew of sexual impropriety with an underage woman Sunday.
The New York Times reported that a woman, only known as "Jane Doe Number 3," has claimed that she was forced to have sex with Prince Andrew, Duke of York, when she was under the age of 18.
The woman claimed Jeffrey Epstein, an American financier, had forced her to have sex with Prince Andrew among other important public figures in papers filed with a Florida court last week.
The woman claimed that Epstein forced her to have sex with Prince Andrew three times between 1999 and 2002.
The incidents took place in London, New York and on a private Caribbean island, The New York Times said.
According to Fox News, the lawsuit objects to how prosecutors handled a sexual abuse case against Epstein and want authorities to reconsider a plea deal that permitted Epstein to avoid more serious federal charges.
Epstein served 13 months of his 18-month sentence after he pleaded guilty to running a prostitution ring. He was released in 2009.
Prince Andrew has faced controversy before over his friendship with Epstein. He was photographed with the defendant in New York and promptly stepped down from his role as a U.K. trade ambassador in July 2011.
A palace spokesman said the allegations are "false and without foundation." The spokesman said the palace denies that Prince Andrew had any form of sexual contact with the woman.
This is the second denial of these claims against the royal after two British Sunday papers published interviews with the woman.
Fox News said the denials are unusual because royal officials do not comment on allegations against members of the royal family.
Prince Andrew is fifth in line for the throne behind his brother Prince Charles, nephews Prince William and Prince Harry and grandnephew Prince George.
