Prince Andrew and Virginia Giuffre settlement: What do we know and what happens next?

Prince Andrew and his accuser Virginia Giuffre have settled out of court in the civil sex claim she filed against him in the United States.

The parties have said they will file a “stipulation of dismissal” within 30 days, meaning they will file a notice to discontinue the case.

Before the stipulation is filed, the parties have asked for all deadlines and court action to be suspended.

What do we know about the details of the agreement?

The sum of the settlement has not been disclosed but the duke will make a “substantial donation” to Ms Giuffre’s charity in support of victims’ rights.

Legal expert Joshua Rosenberg told Sky News if the sum was paid to a charity then it could be revealed when annual reports are released.

But he insisted it would be a “very large sum of money”.

Prince Andrew to make ‘substantial donation’ to Virginia Giuffre’s charity in settlement deal

Prince Andrew: US judge wants duke’s ex-assistant to give testimony in civil sex assault case

Prince Andrew: Duke gives up membership of Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews

Andrew 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”.

Will the charity donation be made from Andrew’s own private money?

Representatives of the duke declined to comment on the source of funds for the donation.

Nigel Cawthorne, author of Prince Andrew, Epstein And The Palace, told Sky News that Andrew is not a wealthy man and the public would want to know how the funds are found.

“We’re all going to be asking this question: ‘Is Mother going to put her hand in her pocket?'”

What have both sides said about the settlement?

Andrew’s representatives said they would not be commenting further than what was said in the court documents.

David Boies, the lawyer for Ms Giuffre, said: “I believe this event speaks for itself.”

Is the settlement the end of the matter?

When asked if Ms Giuffre, 38, could release a “tell-all” book in the future, Mr Rosenberg said it depended on whether a non-disclosure agreement.

“You would have thought Prince Andrew would have requested that as part of the settlement,” he told Sky News.

“Whether he would be able to enforce that, I don’t know.

“But nevertheless, that’s certainly something his lawyers would have considered.

“You would have thought that both sides have agreed that they won’t say any more.”

What next for Andrew?

Earlier this month Andrew, 61, had all of his military titles and royal patronages taken away.

And it appears unlikely he will get them back.

Mr Rosenberg said: “Obviously, the royal family can do what they wish, but it looks unlikely that he’s going to get them back.

“This has happened, he has to deal with this case and we have the consequences you see. So, from that point of view he has caused embarrassment to the royal family.

“On the other hand, as I say, he has not admitted anything, he’s not apologised for anything he did as such, apart from his regret for his association with Jeffrey Epstein… who knows what arrangement has been agreed within the royal family to reinstate him to some extent.

“I think the royal family are sensitive to public opinion and they will be looking to see how people react to this settlement and what it actually says.”

Will Andrew be able to salvage his reputation?

According to Mr Cawthorne: “No – although the civil case may be settled now, there’s several things we’re going to be asking.

“First of all how much money is involved, and who is paying it? Because Prince Andrew is not a wealthy man so every taxpayer in the country is going to ask that.

“And secondly, there’s the US Department of Justice who have twice asked the Home Office for their assistance in interviewing Andrew under our mutual legal assistance treaty – we are in breach of treaty over that.”

Read Entire Article