Britain’s Prince Andrew has settled a civil lawsuit claiming he sexually assaulted a teenage girl two decades ago.
Lawyers say that the British Queen’s second son has agreed to pay an undisclosed amount to Virginia Giuffre, who claims he sexually assaulted her as a teen.
He has also agreed to make a “substantial donation” to a victim’s rights charity run by Ms Giuffre.
Britain’s Prince Andrew ahead of the funeral of his father Prince Philip at Windsor Castle, Berkshire, 17-04-2021Ms Giuffre claimed the British royal was one of several men to whom Jeffrey Epstein “lent” her for abuse.
In a joint statement, lawyers for Prince Andrew said he “accepts that she has suffered both as an established victim of abuse and as a result of unfair public attacks. It is known that Jeffrey Epstein trafficked countless young girls over many years”.
“Prince Andrew regrets his association with Epstein, and commends the bravery of Ms Giuffre and other survivors in standing up for themselves and others,” they said.
“He pledges to demonstrate his regret for his association with Epstein by supporting the fight against the evils of sex trafficking, and by supporting its victims.”
Prince Andrew has always denied sexually assaulting Ms Giuffre when she was a teenager.
The royal had faced a civil trial in New York over the allegations - something his legal team had been fighting.
However, a judge last month refused to have the lawsuit thrown out.
The prince has previously spoken publicly about his relationship with Epstein, acknowledging he "let the side down" as a member of the British royal family by staying with him.
He has also said he was elsewhere on the night he is accused of having sex with then 17-year-old Ms Giuffre in 2001.
