PRINCE Andrew has sensationally settled his sexual abuse lawsuit with Virginia Giuffre out of court – sparing him a humiliating court case.
The bombshell comes as the disgraced Duke was on a collision course with the Epstein sex abuse victim over claims he raped her when she was 17.
US attorney David Boies, who represents Giuffre, said in the filing in a Manhattan federal court that lawyers on both sides were informing the judge that a settlement in principle has been reached,
And he added they will request a dismissal of the lawsuit – which has seen the Royal Family shaken to its foundations – within a month.
Meanwhile, the letter said that the judge should suspend all deadlines and hold the action in abeyance.
Court documents show the Duke will make a “substantial donation to Ms Giuffre’s charity in support of victims’ rights”.
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.”
Giuffre sued Andrew in August – the first time she had brought action against him after going public with the allegations in 2011.
The American accused the British royal of sexually abusing her when she was 17 while she traveled with financier and paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
She claims she was trafficked to have sex with the Duke at Ghislaine Maxwell’s house in London after a night out at the club Tramp.
Virginia claimed she was forced to have sex with the Duke on at least two further occasions by Maxwell and Epstein.
The 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.”
A second document, a letter addressed to US judge Lewis A Kaplan, who has been overseeing the case, said: “We write jointly with counsel for defendant to advise the court that the parties reached a settlement in principle of the above-referenced action.”
It goes on to say the parties involved plan to file a “stipulation of dismissal of the case” within 30 days.
The letter, signed by Ms Giuffre’s lawyer David Boies, concludes: “We appreciate the time and effort the court has devoted to this matter.”
