Prince Andrew Pays Settlement with Virginia Giuffre Using 'Family Money'; Can Duke Return to Royal Duties?

In February, the Duke of York agreed to pay Virginia Giuffre an unknown sum as a way out of the explosive case in which he was accused of rape and sexual assault.

Giuffre has received an undisclosed cash settlement from Prince Andrew, and the case was ended by Judge Lewis Kaplan soon before 10 p.m., UK time on Tuesday. Giuffre said she was smuggled to the Duke of York at the age of 17 by the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who was a juvenile under US law. All charges were categorically refuted by Prince Andrew.

Prince Andrew Sex Abuse Case Dismissed

According to a court filing, plaintiff Virginia L. Giuffre and defendant Prince Andrew, Duke of York, have agreed to dismiss the lawsuit with prejudice. Each party is responsible for its costs.

The funds have finally been transferred, and court documents reveal the end of what was expected to be a disastrous trial for the British monarchy's prestige. All of the allegations raised against Prince Andrew have been repeatedly debunked. Prince Andrew's relationship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has caused the Royal Family a lot of grief in recent years, Newsweek via MSN reported.

However, Virginia Giuffre's civil court struggle against the Duke in August 2021 reignited interest in Prince Andrew's relationship with Epstein, refocusing attention on the Queen's second son once more. Prince Andrew expressed contrition for his affiliation with Epstein in a statement published in court filings after his civil lawsuit was settled last month, he and committed to helping sex trafficking victims.

Royal Family Helps Prince Andrew to Pay Settlement

Prince Andrew has not disclosed the amount he has now paid Giuffre, however it is thought to be in the region of £12 million ($15.6 million). According to the report, Prince Charles financed the majority of the costs, with Queen Elizabeth II contributing as well.

Since things stand, Prince Andrew's return to royal responsibilities is unlikely to happen anytime soon, as the Royal Family appeared to take considerable measures to distance itself from Andrew earlier this year amid his legal difficulties. The Duke of York's military associations and Royal patronages have been restored to the Queen with the assent and cooperation of the Queen, the Palace said in January.

The Duke of York will continue to avoid governmental service and will defend himself as a private person in this matter. Prince Andrew is also expected to stop using his birthright HRH title, in addition to losing his royal patronages. He continued, "He is only 61, but it is impossible to see how he could have any future," as per Express.

Meanwhile, the Queen has formally wished her youngest son Prince Edward, who is 58 today, a happy birthday. The Royal Family's Twitter account shared a photo of Edward smiling with the remark: "Wishing The Earl of Wessex a very Happy Birthday!".

The message contained an emoji of a birthday cake. Unlike his older brother Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and his wife Sophie Wessex are members of the Royal Family who work for the Queen and carry out engagements on her behalf.

There were no tributes on social media to commemorate Prince Andrew's 62nd birthday last month, according to Mirror.