Prince Andrew settles sexual assault case with Virginia Giuffre for 10 million pounds
The second son of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Andrew, has finally settled the lawsuit against him. Virginia Giuffre had accused Prince Andrew of sexually abusing her during her teenage in the US. The settlement has been made just weeks before Andrew was supposed to be questioned under oath.
WHAT, WHY, WHEN
A little bit of history: Virginia Giuffre sued Prince Andrew claiming that he sexually abused her in 2001 when she was only 17 years old. According to her claims, she was forced to sleep with Prince Andrew by late American financier Jeffery Epstein.
However, the prince denied the claims. He even said that he had no recollection of ever meeting Virginia. But his picture with Virginia was widely circulated.
His lawyers too urged to dismiss the case with proof of a 2009 deal that Virginia signed with Jeffery.
The judge decided to continue the case.
Virginia has said that she is a victim of sex trafficking and sexual abuse.
Following this, Prince Andrew lost his royal and military titles. He is no longer called His Royal Highness in any Royal capacity. He also stepped back from his public duties in 2019. He no longer has access to public funds either.
Prince Andrew will not attend Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee celebrations this year.
THE SETTLEMENT
Prince Andrew has settled the lawsuit with Virginia. For the settlement, Prince Andrew is supposed to pay a confidential amount, which reports say is somewhere around 10 million pounds, to Virginia. Both the parties have declared this in a joint statement.
The statement also mentions that Prince Andrew “intends to make a substantial donation in support of victims’ rights”. And he has not admitted any accusation in the statement.
“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,” the statement mentioned.
After a few weeks, the prince was supposed to answer Virginia’s lawyer under oath. But now, a settlement has been reached between lawyers of both the parties in New York.
“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,” read the statement.
“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 official statement continued.
Another to a report in The Times, Virginia has also agreed to a period to a 'peroid of silence' under which she will remain silent over this case until after the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
According to a few reports, the prince is supposed to pay more than 10 million pounds. Some reports also claim that the Queen will help him pay the settlement amount.