Prince Andrew settlement leaves Royal Family ‘relieved’ as they avoid ‘tabloid-fodder’ trial

Prince Andrew’s settlement with Virginia Giuffre has reportedly left the Royal Family “relieved” as he’s expected to avoid a “tabloid-fodder” trial in the US. 

• The Duke of York is said to have reached an out-of-court settlement with Virginia Giuffre, in principle, after statements were released.  
• A royal expert has claimed the Royal Family is “relieved” that the Queen’s son has made this agreement and will likely avoid a potentially “humiliating” trial. 
• This royal news comes as the Queen’s first public appearance since Covid scare raises doubts over the monarch’s health. 

Just a month after the Queen stripped Prince Andrew of military honors, his HRH title and royal patronages, his ongoing court case appears to be over. On February 15th reports emerged suggesting that the Prince Andrew case was settled in principle out-of-court as a statement from his accuser Virginia Giuffre’s lawyers was released. It seems that anyone wondering if a Prince Andrew trial would take place has now had their question answered, as a settlement would make this unnecessary. 

It’s claimed a court document discusses a “substantial donation” being made to Virginia’s charity in support of human rights, though the exact amount currently remains unknown. She filed her civil case against the second youngest of the Queen’s children in 2021 and Prince Andrew has consistently and vehemently denied the accusations against him.

Now it’s claimed the Royal Family will likely have been glad that such a high-profile and “very nasty” trial is no longer expected to go ahead. 

According to The Mirror, the royals will supposedly be “relieved”, with royal author Penny Junor suggesting that a trial could’ve been “humiliating” and caused huge reputational damage. 

"Going to trial, it could have been very, very nasty,” she said. "It could have been embarrassing, humiliating, and it would have been huge fodder for the tabloid press."

She continued, "It could have really taken the shine off the Queen's Platinum Jubilee year. At last, he’s expressing some regret and some empathy for those girls”, before describing it as “very unlikely” he’d ever resume royal duties.

However, whilst the Royal Family might reportedly be “relieved” that the Duke avoided a public trial during such a momentous year for Her Majesty, not everyone shares this view. Many people took to Twitter to express suspicion, citing one particular claim he once made that he had "no recollection" of meeting Virginia.

“Prince Andrew has just given millions of pounds to someone he insists he has never met. What remarkable generosity”, one person Tweeted.

This sentiment was echoed by another, who declared, “Prince Andrew paying a huge sum of money to someone he said he didn’t know or he had ever met is quite the take today”. 

“Court documents show that Prince Andrew and Virginia Giuffre have reached a 'settlement in principle' in the civil sex claim filed in the US. Imagine paying out a settlement to someone you claim you've never met,” a third person said.  

This comes as the Queen began her Platinum Jubilee celebrations with a tea party at Sandringham House earlier this month. In June the UK will enjoy a four-day bank holiday for the Platinum Jubilee 2022, with the Royal Family expected to reunite in honor of this important occasion. Prince Andrew is currently not expected to join his family for the public celebrations.