Prince Andrew pays Virginia Giuffre to settle sexual assault case
Both parties file order calling for civil case action to be dismissed
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Prince Andrew has paid his financial settlement to Virginia Giuffre following a seven-month case in which he was accused of sexually abusing her when she was 17.
“Stipulation of Dismissal” court documents were filed on Monday calling for the civil sexual assault action to be dismissed. The joint order added that each party would pay their own costs and fees.
Once Judge Lewis Kaplan signs the order, the long-running civil case will come to an official end.
The Duke of York, who denies any wrongdoing, has faced calls to confirm how he funded the multimillion-pound out-of-court settlement – which is reported to be as much as £12m – and whether the Queen or even the Prince of Wales contributed to the sum.
Ms Giuffre was suing the Queen’s second son for sexual abuse, saying Prince Andrew had sex with her when she was a minor and had been trafficked by his friend, the billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
The prince, who has stepped down from royal duties and public life, claimed he never met Ms Giuffre.
The duke reached the out-of-court multi-million-pound settlement with Ms Giuffre last month, meaning both sides avoided the case going to trial. As part of the agreement, he was due to pay damages to Ms Giuffre and a donation to a charity “in support of victims’ rights”.
In a joint statement confirming the settlement at the time, the prince said he regretted his association with Epstein, who he acknowledged “trafficked countless young girls over many years”.
Prince Andrew, who had reportedly come under pressure from the Queen not to take the case to court, said he also accepted that Ms Giuffre was “an established victim of abuse” who had been subjected to “unfair public attacks” and said he “commends the bravery” of her and other survivors.
The Queen took steps to distance the royal family from Prince Andrew and protect the monarchy brand as the prospect of a trial loomed.
She stripped him of his honorary military roles, and he also had to give up using his HRH – a style he was born with.
Legal experts put estimates of Prince Andrew’s total costs at more than £10m, but there has been no official confirmation of the amount.
Nick Goldstone, head of dispute resolution at international law firm Ince, told The Independent that figure would include costs on both sides, the charitable donation and “one must presume, in addition, some damages”.
He said in settling the case the prince had avoided the risk of an even higher bill if he lost the trial, adding: “The sky’s the limit with a New York jury in a case like this.”
Ms Giuffre’s legal team made clear previously that she was not interested in reaching a “purely financial settlement” and that she wanted to be “vindicated” in the case.
Additional reporting by PA
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.