Prince Andrew Settles Virginia Giuffre's Civil Lawsuit for £12 Million
Prince Andrew, Duke of York, settles Virginia Giuffre's civil lawsuit out of court for a reported sum of approximately £12 million (approximately $12 million USD). The settlement includes no admission of liability by Andrew. As part of the settlement, Andrew makes a donation to Giuffre's charity for victims of trafficking. The settlement is announced publicly, and within days, the Queen strips Andrew of all military affiliations and royal patronages. He withdraws from all public royal duties permanently.
People Involved
The Lawsuit
Virginia Giuffre had filed a civil lawsuit in New York federal court in August 2021 against Prince Andrew, alleging she had been trafficked by Epstein and directed to have sexual contact with Andrew when she was 17.
The Settlement
On approximately February 15, 2022, the parties filed a notice of settlement with the court:
- Settlement sum: approximately £12 million
- No admission of liability by Andrew
- Andrew agreed to make a donation to Giuffre’s victims’ charity
- Giuffre’s statement expressed satisfaction with the outcome
Andrew’s Statement
Andrew released a statement that:
- Did not admit wrongdoing or liability
- Expressed “sympathy” for trafficking victims — conspicuously without directly addressing Giuffre’s allegations
- Acknowledged Epstein’s trafficking crimes “without reservation”
Royal Consequences
Immediately following the settlement announcement:
- Queen Elizabeth II stripped Andrew of all military affiliations, royal patronages, and ability to use the HRH style in an official capacity
- Andrew abandoned his charitable work and public duties permanently
- His six daughters’ military links were transferred or removed
Significance
The £12 million settlement — while not an admission of liability — effectively ended Andrew’s public life and placed the monarchy in a difficult position regarding its handling of the Andrew-Epstein relationship for over a decade.