By Aaron Miller-
Prince Andrew and his accuser Virginia Giuffre have settled out of court in the civil sex claim filed in the US.
In a letter submitted to the United States District Court on Tuesday, Ms Giuffre’s lawyer David Boies wrote jointly with Andrew’s lawyers to say that the parties had “reached a settlement in principle”.
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The document added that the prince also regretted his association with the financier Jeffrey Epstein, who killed himself in prison while facing trial for sex crimes.
Court documents show the duke will make a “substantial donation to Ms Giuffre’s charity in support of victims’ rights”.
It goes on to say the agreement involved plan to file a ‘stipulation of dismissal of the case’ within 30 days. The letter, signed by Mr Boies, concludes: ‘We appreciate the time and effort the court has devoted to this matter.’
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A second document, which was a letter addressed to US judge Lewis A Kaplan, who has been overseeing the case, said: ‘We write jointly with counsel for defendant to advise the court that the parties reached a settlement in principle of the above-referenced action.
Representatives of the duke said they would not be commenting further than what was said in the Following the settlement, Andrew has also pledged to “demonstrate his regret for his association with Epstein” by supporting the “fight against the evils of sex trafficking, and by supporting its victims”.
Ms Giuffre, also known as Virginia Roberts, made the claim against Andrew for damages in her home country of the U.S, claiming she was trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein, Andrew’s friend, to have sex with the royal when she was 17.
The official document read: “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 (the sum of which is not being disclosed).
“Prince Andrew intends to make a substantial donation to Ms. Giuffre’s charity in support of victims’ rights.
“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. When asked for comment, Ms Giuffre’s lawyer says: ‘I believe this event speaks for itself’
“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.”
Responding to the settlement, Mr Boies said: “I believe this event speaks for itself.”
Mr Boies said his client and legal team were looking forward to “confronting” the royal about his “denials”.
“In recent weeks and months we have simply seen ongoing brinkmanship between the two sides…
“And certainly in recent weeks it did appear this case was heading to trial and we know the judge had put that potential date in the diary.
“But now a settlement has been reached.”
The settlement means the civil case will not go to a jury trial, and also that Andrew will no longer be questioned under oath by Mrs Giuffre’s lawyers – something that had been expected to take place in the coming weeks.
It goes on to say the parties involved plan to file a ‘stipulation of dismissal of the case’ within 30 days. The letter, signed by Mr Boies, concludes: ‘We appreciate the time and effort the court has devoted to this matter.’
A second document, which was a letter addressed to US judge Lewis A Kaplan, who has been overseeing the case, said: ‘We write jointly with counsel for defendant to advise the court that the parties reached a settlement in principle of the above-referenced action.
ITV royal editor Chris Ship added: ‘It does seem that the stripping of Prince Andrew’s royal patronages and military titles in January – and the removal from use of his HRH title, all remains in place despite today’s settlement news.
He sued the Prince last year for unspecified damages, alleging that she was trafficked to him by Epstein and Maxwell.
Last December, Maxwell was convicted of recruiting and grooming young girls to be sexually abused by Epstein, exposing a murky world of sex trafficking among the rich and powerful.
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