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The Duke, 61, wants Virginia Giuffre’s spouse Robert to be quizzed after invoking the Hague Convention for him to be interviewed under oath in Australia.

Judge Lewis A Kaplan yesterday wrote to the country’s attorney general to secure his help in arranging the interview – either in person or via video link.

In his letter, the justice said Andrew wants to question Robert about the couple’s living arrangements in Australia, any discussion Virginia has had with him about the Duke, her “alleged childhood trauma and abuse” and all aspects of their income.

The Duke’s defence team asked that “Mr Giuffre be examined” about “plaintiff’s (Ms Giuffre) role in recruiting and trafficking underage girls for Epstein”.

Ms Giuffre, 38, claims that in 2001, when she was 17 – a minor in some US states – she was trafficked to London by Ghislaine Maxwell and convicted financier Epstein to have sex with the royal.

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She also alleges she was forced to have sex with the Prince at Epstein’s homes in New York and the US Virgin Islands. Andrew denies the allegations. Ms Giuffre is suing him in New York for unspecified damages, which US lawyers say could “easily” be more than £14million if successful.

The civil case is set to go ahead in the US later this year after the judge rejected his claim to have it thrown out.

Judge Kaplan has also requested the Australian attorney general’s help in securing an interview with Dr Judith Lightfoot, Ms Giuffre’s therapist.

The Duke’s lawyer, Andrew Brettler, wants to know what medical treatment she prescribed for Ms Giuffre, any diagnosis she made, of any alleged “emotional and psychological harm and damages” and “theory of false memories”, and what trauma her patient may have suffered as a child. They also want details of the bills Dr Lightfoot charged Ms Giuffre. The interviews are to be conducted by April 29. According to sources, Mr Brettler has a “strong opinion” that he should fly to Perth, close to where the Giuffres live, to do this in person.

The UK High Court has also been contacted by Judge Kaplan to help obtain testimony about the Duke’s relationship with Epstein and Maxwell from his former assistant, Robert Olney.

Judge Kaplan also asked for testimony from Shukri Walker, who claims to have seen the Duke in Tramp nightclub in March 2001 and any interactions the pair had.

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