Overview
Prince Andrew, Duke of York, faced civil claims in the United States brought by Virginia Giuffre, who alleged he had sexually abused her on three occasions—in London, in New York, and at Epstein’s private island—beginning when she was 17. Prince Andrew consistently denied the allegations. In February 2022, he settled the case, paying Giuffre an undisclosed sum reported by multiple sources to be in the several million pound range, agreeing to support her anti-trafficking charitable work, and making no admission of liability.
Background of the Allegations
Virginia Giuffre (then Virginia Roberts) alleged she was directed by Epstein and Maxwell to have sexual contact with Prince Andrew on multiple occasions. The most publicly recognized element of the claim was a photograph showing Andrew with his arm around Giuffre, with Maxwell visible in the background—a photo taken, according to Giuffre, in March 2001.
Andrew gave a BBC Newsnight interview in November 2019 in which he denied any sexual contact with Giuffre, said he had no recollection of meeting her, and offered an account of his movements on the night in question that later became the subject of intense public scrutiny and mockery. The interview was widely seen as damaging to his credibility.
U.S. Civil Proceedings
Giuffre filed her civil complaint in August 2021. Andrew’s legal team moved to dismiss, arguing procedural grounds including a prior 2009 settlement Giuffre had reached in connection with the Dershowitz/Epstein civil litigation. Judge Lewis Kaplan denied the motion to dismiss in January 2022.
Following Kaplan’s ruling, Andrew’s legal team settled rather than proceed to discovery and the production of further evidence. Andrew’s designation as a “potential witness” in UK judicial proceedings was also an issue.
Consequences
The settlement effectively ended Prince Andrew’s public role. He had already stepped back from royal duties in November 2019 after the BBC interview. After the settlement, Buckingham Palace confirmed he would not return to official royal functions; he was stripped of his military titles and honorary roles.
Deposition That Was Avoided
The settlement meant that Prince Andrew was never compelled to sit for a deposition or testify about his relationship with Epstein, his use of Epstein’s properties, or his knowledge of Epstein’s activities. The evidentiary record remains limited to the allegations and Andrew’s public denials.
Sources
Giuffre v. Prince Andrew (S.D.N.Y.); Judge Kaplan’s January 2022 ruling; settlement announcement; BBC Newsnight interview (November 2019); journalism on the royal consequences.