Prince Andrew trial: the Duke of York has reached a settlement with Virginia Giuffre, court documents show

Prince Andrew trial: lawyers for the duke tell court he demands a jury trial in sexual assault civil lawsuit

Credit: Florida Southern District Court

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Prince Andrew trial: the Duke of York has reached a settlement with Virginia Giuffre, court documents show

By Amy Beecham

3 years ago

3 min read

Prince Andrew’s accuser, Virginia Giuffre, claimed that the Queen’s son sexually assaulted her when she was 17 years old after she was trafficked by his former friend and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. 

Updated 15 February: Prince Andrew has settled the US civil sexual assault case brought against him by Virginia Giuffre, court documents show.

Giuffre, who filed the civil case in August last year, claims that the Duke of York sexually assaulted her on three separate occasions when she was 17 years old. She alleges this took place while she was the victim of a trafficking ring led by the Duke’s former friend and convicted sex offender Jeffery Epstein.

Prince Andrew has strenuously denied the allegations; under US civil law, agreeing to settle a case does not amount to an admission of guilt.

While the settlement amount has not been disclosed, a document submitted to a US court on Tuesday (15 February) said that Prince Andrew would make “a substantial donation” to Giuffre’s charity in support of victims’ rights.  

The document continued: “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.”

The settlement comes after Giuffre’s lawyers announced they would be “deposing” Prince Andrew in a neutral location in London in March ahead of a jury trial, which was set to take place in the US between September and December.  

Prince Andrew is accused of sexual assault and battery

Credit: Getty

As reported 27 January: Last month, the Queen stripped Prince Andrew of his military titles and royal patronages after Kaplan refused to dismiss the case.

In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: “With the Queen’s approval and agreement, the Duke of York’s military affiliations and royal patronages have been returned to the Queen.

“The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen.”

The duke’s current roles – including Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, one of the oldest regiments in the British army – will be handed to other members of the royal family, as it is believed he will cease to be called His Royal Highness (HRH) in any official capacity.


What are the allegations against Prince Andrew?

Virginia Giuffre, now aged 38, is suing the prince for allegedly sexually assaulting her when she was a teenager.

In a lawsuit first filed in August in Manhattan’s federal court, Giuffre claims that after she was coerced into Andrew’s former friend and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s sex-trafficking operation, and that Epstein forced her on several occasions to have sex with Prince Andrew when she was 17 and he was around 40.

Repeating prior claims made in Giuffre’s explosive Panorama interview back in 2019, as reported by New York Magazine, the suit alleges that the prince committed “sexual assault and battery” at Epstein’s New York City mansion when she and “another victim” were forced to “sit on Prince Andrew’s lap as Prince Andrew touches her.” During that visit, the lawsuit claims, the royal also forced Giuffre to “engage in sex acts against her will.”

Virginia Giuffre holding a picture of herself, aged 16

Credit: Getty

The suit also alleges that Prince Andrew abused Giuffre on Epstein’s private jet and that he raped her at the home of alleged Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell (who was convicted of sex trafficking offences in January 2022) in London.

“During each of the aforementioned incidents, Plaintiff was compelled by express or implied threats by Epstein, Maxwell, and/or Prince Andrew to engage in sexual acts with Prince Andrew, and feared death or physical injury to herself or another and other repercussions for disobeying Epstein, Maxwell, and Prince Andrew due to their powerful connections, wealth, and authority,” the lawsuit states.

“Twenty years ago, Prince Andrew’s wealth, power, position, and connections enabled him to abuse a frightened, vulnerable child with no one there to protect her. It is long past the time for him to be held to account.” 

Following the ruling, Giuffre tweeted: “I’m pleased with Judge Kaplan’s ruling yesterday that allows my case against Prince Andrew to go forward. I’m glad I will have the chance to continue to expose the truth & I am deeply grateful to my extraordinary legal team.

“Their determination helps me seek justice from those who hurt me and so many others. My goal has always been to show that the rich and powerful are not above the law & must be held accountable.

“I do not walk this path alone, but alongside countless other survivors of sexual abuse & trafficking.”

How has Prince Andrew responded to the claims against him?

The duke has repeatedly denied the claims, and he has not been charged with any criminal offences.

In papers filed in Manhattan federal court, Andrew Brettler, the prince’s attorney, wrote: “Without diminishing the harm suffered as a result of [Jeffrey] Epstein’s alleged misconduct, Prince Andrew never sexually abused or assaulted Giuffre. He unequivocally denies Giuffre’s false allegations against him.”

“Accusing a member of the world’s best known royal family of serious misconduct has helped Giuffre create a media frenzy online and in the traditional press. It is unfortunate, but undeniable, that sensationalism and innuendo have prevailed over the truth,” the filing stated.

Previously, lawyers for the Duke of York said that an unearthed agreement between his Giuffre and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein protects the prince from sexual assault claims against him, and was grounds for dismissal.

The 2009 settlement revealed by court papers shows that Giuffre received $500,000 in her lawsuit against Epstein, whom she also accused of sexual assault when she was 16 years old.

The settlement states that upon receipt of the stipulated sum, Giuffre, referred to under her maiden name, agrees to “remise, release, acquit, satisfy and forever discharge the said second parties and any other person or entity who could have been included as a potential defendant … from all, and all manner of, action and actions of Virginia Roberts, including state or federal, cause and causes of action”.

As per the Independent, the legal team also said: “Because Prince Andrew is a senior member of the British royal family, he falls into one of the expressly identified categories of persons, ie, royalty, released from liability under the release agreement, along with politicians, academicians, businessmen and others allegedly associated with Epstein.

“As a third-party beneficiary of the release agreement, Prince Andrew is entitled to enforce the general release contained therein.”

However, the judge said that a 2009 agreement between Giuffre and Epstein which the duke’s legal team argued protected him from the claims “cannot be said to demonstrate, clearly and unambiguously, the parties intended the instrument ‘directly’, ‘primarily’ or ‘substantially’ to benefit Prince Andrew.”

He added: “Ms (Virginia) Giuffre’s complaint is neither ‘unintelligible’ nor ‘vague’ nor ‘ambiguous’.

“It alleges discrete incidents of sexual abuse in particular circumstances at three identifiable locations. It identifies to whom it attributes that sexual abuse.”

Buckingham Palace has declined to comment on the development, telling Sky News: “We would not comment on what is an ongoing legal matter.”

Prince Andrew and his mother, the Queen, attend Trooping Of The Colour in 2019

Credit: Getty

In an attempt to defend himself, the duke appeared on BBC’s Newsnight in November 2019, saying he did not regret his friendship with Epstein because it was “useful” and staying at his home was “convenient.”

However, integral to the lawsuit is a picture of him with his arm around a then-17-year-old Giuffre’s waist in which Maxwell appears in the background. Prince Andrew has claimed he has “no recollection” of meeting her, has previously claimed the photo was doctored and has denied all wrongdoing. He has never faced criminal charges.

The prince’s legal team maintain his innocence, commenting in court written statements: “Giuffre has initiated this baseless lawsuit against Prince Andrew to achieve another payday at his expense and at the expense of those closest to him. Epstein’s abuse of Giuffre does not justify her public campaign against Prince Andrew.” 

What does the settlement in Prince Andrew’s civil lawsuit mean?

“Despite adopting very polarised positions with accusations and denials, Prince Andrew and Virginia Giuffre seem to have found common ground in that both have reached an agreement to bring the civil case to an end,” Alan Collins, partner and specialist in the abuse team at Hugh James Solicitors, tells Stylist.

According to Collins, the settlement has significant long-term consequences, not just for the parties.

“Whether they feel that their own personal objectives are fulfilled one can only speculate, but a chapter has been written in the history books: a prince of the realm was taken to court over sexual abuse allegations. For survivors who have not disclosed their own abuse, they will have witnessed how seriously we take such allegations,” he explains.  Hugh James Solicitors.

Images: Getty/Florida Southern District Court

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