Prince Andrew breaks his silence.

The Duke of York has finally spoken on the claims he had an underage sex slave.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, last night, Prince Andrew, 54, used a scheduled speech to publicly deny the claims of his involvement with an undersage sex slave.

He said he wanted to “reiterate and to reaffirm the statements which have already been made on my behalf by Buckingham Palace”.

“My focus is on my work and this evening’s reception allows me to tell you about just a couple of the initiatives that I have founded and am passionate about.”

And that was the extent of his statement, before he went on with the prepared speech.

Buckingham Palace Statement:

"It is emphatically denied that the Duke of York had any form of sexual contact or relationship with [the woman]. The allegations made are false and without any foundation."

Royal watchers have expressed surprise that the Duke responded at all.

Two days ago Prince Andrew was asked formally respond to claims made in the US by his alleged victim, Virginia Roberts in a letter filed by her lawyers.

She detailed in her claim extensive allegations of having sex with the Prince on three different occasions, including one “orgy” with seven other young women.

When the allegations were first made earlier this month, his former wife, Sarah Ferguson, who appeared on NBC's Today show to promote a weight-loss product, said, "the great news is that Andrew and I and the girls are the best family unit there ever is and I know him extremely, extremely well. And Buckingham Palace put out a denial two weeks ago or a week ago and we stand by that denial."

Prince Andrew is the fifth in line to the throne.

Want more? Try:

Couple disagrees over the biggest parenting decision ever. And dad wins. Unfortunately.

It’s the dirtiest thing your children play with and there is nothing regulating its hygiene standards.