The Duke of York has paid his accuser, bringing to an end the seven-month legal action that has left his reputation in tatters.
A joint order filed with the New York court called for the action to be dismissed. It stated that each side would cover their own costs and fees. When judge Lewis Kaplan signs the order, the civil case will be closed.
The Duke, 62, reached an out-of-court settlement with Virginia Roberts Giuffre last month, which meant he no longer faced a jury trial on claims that he sexually abused and raped her on three separate occasions when she was 17.
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The order, lodged with the court on Tuesday, states that as per the parties’ settlement agreement dated February 12, “plaintiff Virginia L Giuffre and defendant Prince Andrew, Duke of York hereby stipulate to the dismissal of this action, with prejudice”. It adds: “Each party to bear her/his own costs and fees.”
The document was signed by David Boies, for Ms Giuffre, and Andrew Brettler for the Duke. The terms of the deal prevent either side from discussing the case or the settlement itself in public.
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The financial deal is understood to exceed £12 million, including a £2 million contribution to Ms Giuffre’s sex trafficking charity.
It is understood that both the Queen and the Prince of Wales agreed to contribute in order to draw a swift line under the case and avoid further damaging the reputation of the monarchy.
Negotiations over the settlement are understood to have lasted for at least 10 days, with the Duke’s team changing tack when the date for his deposition, which would have seen him questioned under oath by Ms Guiffre’s legal team, was set for March 10.
A statement about the settlement agreement from the Duke’s team contained no admission of liability and no apology. The Duke has always denied the allegations, insisting he has “no recollection” of meeting Ms Giuffre.
The source of the Duke’s personal wealth has long remained a mystery, ill explained by his modest Navy pension and annual £250,000 stipend from the Queen.
He is currently selling his only known asset, the Verbier ski chalet he bought with his ex-wife in 2014 as a “family investment” with a mortgage and private funding from the Queen.
Her Majesty has privately funded the Duke’s legal fight since he was first cast adrift by the Royal family in late 2019 after his disastrous Newsnight interview.
He has since retained his own legal and PR teams who have worked independently from Buckingham Palace.
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