FOLLOW US

Virginia Roberts Giuffre’s attorney, David Boies, is requesting the New York court place her sexual abuse lawsuit on hold pending settlement.

According to court documents filed Tuesday, “Virginia Giuffre and Prince Andrew have reached an out-of-court settlement. The parties will file a stipulated dismissal upon Ms. Giuffre’s receipt of the settlement. Prince Andrew intends to make a substantial donation [to a charity] in support of victims’ rights.” 

The court filing said, "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."

"Prince Andrew regrets his association with Epstein and commends the bravery of Ms. Giuffre and other survivors in standing up for themselves and others," and the statement continues. "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 amount of the settlement is not being disclosed. Andrew has accepted that Giuffre “suffered as an established victim of abuse”. And he makes no admission of liability. Giuffre agrees to dismiss the case once she receives the settlement.

Sexual Abuse Case 

Guiffre filed her lawsuit in New York in 2021. She claims that she was assaulted by Prince Andrew on three separate occasions when she was 17 years old in 2001 and 2002. She alleges the late convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein, trafficked her to Prince Andrew. 

Prince Andrew claims he has no recollection of meeting Giuffre. But there is a photograph of them together. And Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's former girlfriend also appears in the photo. Maxwell was recently convicted of grooming and trafficking minors for sexual abuse.

The criminal case was beyond the statute of limitations. And Giuffre was able to file a civil suit under New York's 2019 Child Victims Act. This allows survivors to file claims regardless of how long ago the sexual abuse happened. 

Her lawsuit read that, "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."   

The Prince Andrew Connection

Prince Andrew is Queen Elizabeth II’s second-oldest son. And he is currently ninth in the order of succession.

After the sexual abuse case was filed the royal tried and failed to have her case thrown out.  In January, Andrew was stripped of all his royal patronages and military affiliations. This happened Giuffre's suit was rejected.

Prince Andrew still retains the title Duke of York. And his place in the line of succession is safe. But he cannot use the title "His Royal Highness" in any official capacity.