PRINCE ANDREW AND his accuser Virginia Giuffre have reached a “settlement in principle” in the civil sex claim filed in the US, court documents show.
Giuffre had been suing for damages in her home country of the US, claiming she was trafficked by disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, Andrew’s friend and a convicted sex offender, to have sex with the royal when she was 17.
Although the parties have settled the case, the agreement is not an admission of guilt from Andrew and he has always denied the allegations against him.
A document submitted to a US court said: “Virginia Giuffre and Prince Andrew have reached an out of court settlement.
The parties will file a stipulated dismissal upon Ms Giuffre’s receipt of the settlement (the sum of which is not being disclosed). Prince Andrew intends to make a substantial donation to Ms. Giuffre’s charity in support of victims’ rights.
“Prince Andrew has never intended to malign Ms Giuffre’s character, and he accepts that she has suffered both as an established victim of abuse and as a result of unfair public attacks.”
It is known that Jeffrey Epstein trafficked countless young girls over many years. Prince Andrew regrets his association with Epstein, and commends the bravery of Ms Giuffre and other survivors in standing up for themselves and others.
“He pledges to demonstrate his regret for his association with Epstein by supporting the fight against the evils of sex trafficking, and by supporting its victims.”
A second document, a letter addressed to US judge Lewis A Kaplan, who has been overseeing the case, said:
We write jointly with counsel for defendant to advise the court that the parties reached a settlement in principle of the above-referenced action.
It goes on to say the parties involved plan to file a “stipulation of dismissal of the case” within 30 days.
The letter, signed by Giuffre’s lawyer David Boies, concludes: “We appreciate the time and effort the court has devoted to this matter.”
When asked for comment by the PA news agency, Boies said: “I believe this event speaks for itself.”
Representatives for the Andrew said he would not be expanding beyond the statement filed in court.
Sigrid McCawley, who also represents the Giuffre, added: “As a managing partner at a firm that has from its beginning acted upon the belief that the law should be marshalled to bring justice to the most vulnerable, I can say, without hesitation, that our representation of survivors upholds that tradition.
I am very pleased with the resolution of Virginia Giuffre’s litigation against Prince Andrew.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the development.
Queen Elizabeth stripped her second son of his prestigious honorary military titles and royal patronages in January, and he stopped using his HRH style, in a move that effectively cast him adrift from the British royal institution.
It is understood that the statement released by Buckingham Palace on 13 January, outlining the changes, still stands, with the duke continuing not to undertake any public duties.
The settlement has come in the monarch’s historic Platinum Jubilee year, and gives the royal family the chance to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s 70 years on the British throne at the national festivities in June without the threat of Andrew’s trial looming over them.
In January, the duke’s lawyers submitted 11 reasons why the case against him should be dismissed, saying he demanded a trial by jury.
Giving her reaction to the news, Lisa Bloom, a lawyer representing a number of Epstein’s victims said she and her clients “salute Virginia’s stunning courage”.
In a tweet, she said: “We hail Virginia’s victory today.
“She has accomplished what no one else could: getting Prince Andrew to stop his nonsense and side with sexual abuse victims.
“We salute Virginia’s stunning courage.”
Representatives of the duke said they would not be commenting further than what was said in the documents submitted to the court.
Andrew’s representatives also declined to comment on how the substantial donation to Giuffre’s charity would be funded.
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