British Prince Andrew's settlement reached in mid-February with Virginia Roberts, who accused him of sexual relations when she was 17 years old in 2001, cost him $16 million, or £12 million, according to several British media outlets reported on Tuesday. The settlement protects the son of Queen Elizabeth II from a series of embarrassing allegations that preceded his trial in absentia, during which he denied through his lawyer that he forced her to engage in sexual acts over two decades ago at a London home, as noted in court documents, also highlighted in an archival video shown below.
The document also stated that the "Duke of York" never intended to offend Ms. Giuffre "and acknowledges that she suffered as a victim who was proven to have been abused." He expressed regret for his association with American Jeffrey Epstein and praised "the bravery of Ms. Giuffre and other survivors in standing up for themselves and for others" and vowed to show his regret for his ties to Epstein by supporting the fight against the evils of sex trafficking and aiding its victims, as he stated.
The British royal family stripped Prince Andrew of his military duties and royal privileges in March, stating that he would no longer be known by the title "His Royal Highness." Buckingham Palace refrained from commenting, while a spokesperson for the prince said there was no comment beyond what was stated in the court papers regarding Epstein's crimes and his assaults on underage girls, who died by suicide in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
