Prince Andrew and the plaintiff have reached a financial settlement in the sexual assault case filed against him by Virginia Giuffre, as stated in a court document on Tuesday that did not disclose the amount of the agreement. In a letter addressed to a judge in New York, David Boies, Giuffre's attorney, announced "the reaching of a settlement out of court" without specifying the financial value of the deal. Boies explained that Prince Andrew will make a "generous donation" to a charity established by Giuffre to support victims of sex trafficking.
The plaintiff alleges that she engaged in sexual relations with the prince when she was 17 years old, which is considered a minor under U.S. law, after meeting him through the late businessman Jeffrey Epstein, who was convicted of sexually abusing minors. No criminal charges have been brought against the prince, and he has vehemently denied the allegations.
This settlement prevents the case from proceeding to trial and exempts Prince Andrew from undergoing a deposition that was to be conducted by Giuffre's attorneys. According to the document, Giuffre will dismiss the lawsuit "upon receiving the financial settlement," the amount of which has not been disclosed. The letter stated that Prince Andrew "never intended to harm Giuffre, and he acknowledges her suffering as a victim who was clearly subjected to exploitation and unjust public attacks."
Additionally, the letter included a commitment from Prince Andrew to "express his regret for associating with the late businessman Jeffrey Epstein by supporting efforts to combat the evils of sexual trafficking and to support its victims." Giuffre claims that Prince Andrew sexually assaulted her at Ghislaine Maxwell's home, Epstein's associate, in London in March 2001.
Prince Andrew has been stripped of his military titles and charitable roles, and he will no longer use the title "His Royal Highness."
