In just over three weeks, Prince Andrew, number ninth in line to the British throne, would have had an appointment that at least the British tabloid media was looking forward to with a certain excitement. Lawyers for Virginia Giuffre, who alleges that Andrew molested her when she was young, would force Andrew to testify under oath in London on March 10, it was reported just a few days ago, before in New York in the fall the process is to take place.
A member of the royal family exposed under oath as a sex offender in front of the world public? Unimaginable, of course, which is why it shouldn’t have really surprised the British tabloid media what happened on Tuesday evening.
Lawyers for both sides released a joint statement announcing they had reached an out-of-court settlement. Buckingham Palace declined to comment Tuesday night, but one can assume the Queen should be relieved given the circumstances. There will be no trial against her second eldest son.
“Dear Judge Kaplan,” begins the letter from the law firm of American David Boies, which was sent to New York Judge Lewis A. Kaplan on Tuesday. Boies, Virginia Giuffre’s attorney, asked that the case be closed within 30 days because both sides had reached an “agreement in principle”. The attached document states that Andrew will make a “significant donation” to her foundation for the benefit of abuse victims, but both parties are silent on the amount. Andrew “never intended to defame Giuffre’s character” and accepts “that she suffered as a victim of abuse and as a victim of unfair public attacks.”
So far she had ruled out a comparison
Virginia Giuffre, 38, has told television interviews several times how she fell into the clutches of Jeffrey Epstein, who died in 2019. How she was raped by him, but also by others, and how, with the help of Epstein’s now convicted aide Ghislaine Maxwell, she was passed on to other men – including Andrew, the British prince. Andrew always denied the allegations, in between he even denied having known Epstein better. The statement now states that Andrew “regrets his association with Epstein”, he “commends the courage of Mrs. Giuffre and others who stand up for themselves and others” and will continue to support her in the fight against sexual exploitation. Some of the message sounds almost a little cynical, considering what the American accuses him of.
A year ago, Giuffre, formerly known as Roberts, sued Andrew in a New York civil court for what is legally known as “sexual assault” on three counts when she was under 18. At the time, her lawyers ruled out an out-of-court settlement, saying Giuffre was determined to bring Andrew to court. In previous out-of-court settlements with Andrew and Maxwell, she had already received money of half a million dollars.
What has now led to a rethink is part of extensive speculation. In any case, victim representatives praised Giuffre on Twitter on Tuesday evening for at least trying. And messed with powers that ultimately proved too strong.
reputation damaged
From a legal point of view, the agreement frees Andrew of all allegations, but his reputation is unlikely to be restored. David Boies, Giuffre’s lawyer, told the PA news agency on Tuesday: “I think this case speaks for itself.” Sigrid McCrawley, an attorney at Boies’ firm, said they were “very pleased with the resolution of the litigation.” Several members of the British Parliament, in turn, immediately asked where the money that Andrew is now donating to Giuffre’s foundation comes from. However, the palace had already announced some time ago that Andrew would have to act as a private individual in this case – i.e. without financial support from the royal family, which is borne by taxpayers’ money.
The Queen had recently stripped Andrew of almost all titles and honors, and the 61-year-old will never appear again as a representative of the family. He lives with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson at the Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park, a 30-room villa with a pool. Since Andrew lost his titles, cameramen have been standing outside the gate to the park most of the time.
Not only Andrew, but also Virginia Giuffre, who lives with her family in Australia, is now spared something that can easily be done without: a process full of unpleasant details that would have been reported around the world.