Prince Andrew settles US civil sex case with Virginia Giuffre outside court

The Duke of York and Virginia Giuffre have reached a “settlement in principle” in the civil sex claim filed in the US, court documents show.

Virginia Giuffre had been seeking unspecified damages as she sued the Queen’s son for allegedly sexually assaulting her when she was a teenager in a civil case brought against the royal in the US.

Prince Andrew has vehemently denied the accusations brought against him.

Now it has emerged they have reached an out-of-court settlement in the civil sex claim filed in the US.

In a letter to the United States District Court on Tuesday, Ms Giuffre’s lawyer David Boies wrote with Andrew’s lawyers to say the parties had “reached a settlement in principle”.

The duke will make a “substantial donation to Ms Giuffre’s charity in support of victims’ rights”, court documents revealed.

Andrew has also pledged to “demonstrate his regret for his association with Epstein” by supporting the “fight against the evils of sex trafficking, and by supporting its victims.”

A document submitted to a US court said: “Virginia Giuffre and Prince Andrew have reached an out of court settlement.

“The parties will file a stipulated dismissal upon Ms Giuffre’s receipt of the settlement (the sum of which is not being disclosed).

“Prince Andrew intends to make a substantial donation to Ms. Giuffre’s charity in support of victims’ rights.

“Prince Andrew has never intended to malign Ms Giuffre’s character, and 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.

“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.”

Virginia Giuffre’s lawyer David Boies added: “I believe this event speaks for itself.”

Sigrid McCawley, one of Ms Giuffre’s lawyers, said: “As a managing partner at a firm that has from its beginning acted upon the belief that the law should be marshalled to bring justice to the most vulnerable, I can say, without hesitation, that our representation of survivors upholds that tradition.

“I am very pleased with the resolution of Virginia Giuffre’s litigation against Prince Andrew.”

Representatives for the Duke of York said there was nothing to add beyond the statement filed in court.

In January, the duke was stripped of his military affiliations and royal patronages as they were returned to the Queen.

Prince Andrew retains his military rank of Vice Admiral, the Palace confirmed.

The duke, who served in the Royal Navy, was made Vice Admiral by the Navy on his 55th birthday in 2015.

At the time, it was announced the Duke of York would no longer use the style “His Royal Highness” in any official capacity.

Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the development.