In a dramatic turn of events, Prince Andrew’s legal battle with his accuser, Virginia Giuffre, has officially come to a close. Just weeks after the announcement of a settlement, a judge formally dismissed the lawsuit on Tuesday. Giuffre had accused the Duke of York of sexually abusing her when she was 17 years old.
Prince Andrew and Virginia Giuffre in a photo that became central to the lawsuit.
Giuffre’s lawyer confirmed to NBC News that Prince Andrew has paid an undisclosed sum to settle the case. In a statement, the lawyer emphasized the significance of this step while also highlighting the need for continued accountability for Jeffrey Epstein’s enablers and participants.
For years, Giuffre has alleged that she was forced into sexual encounters with Prince Andrew on three separate occasions in 2001. She claims that she was trafficked by Epstein, the disgraced financier and convicted sex offender, and his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell. Giuffre vividly recounted being woken up one morning and informed that she would be meeting a prince, unaware that she was being trafficked.
Ghislaine Maxwell, a former British socialite, was found guilty in December 2021 of recruiting and trafficking underage girls for Jeffrey Epstein.
Prince Andrew has consistently denied all allegations made by Giuffre. In a BBC interview, he stated that he had no recollection of ever meeting Giuffre and refuted the authenticity of a now-infamous photo of them together.
As pressure mounted, Queen Elizabeth II took decisive action, stripping her son of his military titles and royal patronages. Buckingham Palace released a statement clarifying that Prince Andrew would be defending the case as a private citizen.
Following unsuccessful attempts by Prince Andrew’s legal team to have the lawsuit dismissed, both parties reached a settlement agreement last month. Despite not admitting to any personal wrongdoing, the Duke of York expressed regret for his association with Jeffrey Epstein in a joint letter submitted to the court.
Furthermore, Prince Andrew pledged to make a substantial donation to Giuffre’s charity, which provides support to survivors of sex trafficking. The settlement marks a step towards justice for Giuffre. It’s important to note that Prince Andrew has not faced any criminal charges, and his lawyer declined to comment on the recent developments.
The British finance ministry has confirmed that no public funds were used to finance the settlement. This case serves as a stark reminder of the far-reaching consequences of sexual abuse and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable.