This is the end of the legal proceedings against Prince Andrew in New York. Queen Elizabeth’s second son and her American plaintiff have reached an amicable settlement. Virginia Giuffre accused him of sexual assault.
The amicable agreement comes as Prince Andrew was to be heard under oath in a few weeks. The charges against him should finally be dropped within the next 30 days, reports our correspondent in New York, Loubna Anaki.
This agreement marks the end of a judicial and media whirlwind launched by Virginia Giuffre. This 38-year-old American claimed to have been assaulted sexually repeatedly by Prince Andrew, in London, New York and the Virgin Islands, where Jeffrey Epstein, a friend of the Duke, owned residences. She was then just 17 years old.
According to documents filed today in court in Manhattan, Prince Andrew undertakes in particular to pay “ a considerable sum to the support association for victims of sexual violence led by Virginia Giuffre. The exact financial terms of this agreement remain confidential.
In any case, this saves the British prince a civil lawsuit for sexual assault on a minor. The third son of Queen Elizabeth will not have to face a court, while he has said he is innocent since the start of the case and that he hoped to be cleared during the hearing.
change of tone
So why this choice? For some people Britishby renouncing his innocence, the prince above all avoids being condemned and thus confesses his guilt, observes our correspondent in London, Emily Wine. Especially since the press release shows a clear change in tone towards Virginia Giuffre, recognized for the first time as a victim.
However, the Duke of York had already tried to have the trial dismissed last month without success by claiming a confidentiality agreement between his accuser and the financier Jeffrey Epstein.
It’s all about limiting image damage to the Crown. By paying an undisclosed sum, Andrew avoids seeing his life revealed in court, his mores and his sexual habits dissected. By skipping the court box, the prince’s team hopes to put an end to the case. And take care of unpacking at the time of the official celebrations of the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth IInext June.