THE Queen is still concerned about Prince Harry’s bombshell memoir – despite an easing in tension after Andrew’s out-of-court settlement, a royal expert says.
It was sensationally revealed yesterday that the Duke of York has settled claims he raped and abused accuser Virginia Giuffre when she was 17.
The pay-out is not an admission of guilt.
He’s expected to pay up to £12million in compensation, with suggestions his long-suffering mother will contribute to get him off the hook.
But commentator Richard Fitzwilliams says that while it’s a “positive step”, there’s still cause for alarm.
Harry’s memoir will be released in December, according to reports. One source said it will “shake the monarchy to its core”.
Speaking to Sun Online about Andrew, Mr Fitzwilliams said: “It’s obviously a positive step.
“There is no doubt that this hanging over Jubilee year was extremely undesirable.
“What this mean, essentially, was that he would be cross-examined and there would have been a lot of publicity about that.
“The civil case would certainly have been enormously damaging, so as far as the Jubilee goes, at least this has been settled.”
But a shadow still looms over celebrations amid fears Harry could trash the family in his book.
He has not yet publicly broken his silence to congratulate stepmother Camilla after it was revealed she will be made Queen Consort when Charles is crowned.
A close friend said he may instead reveal his true feelings in the book.
“He has got lots to say about it,” the source said.
It comes as:
- Andrew’s pal claims the British public will “forgive” him in time
- An expert says the duke views his settlement as a way “back in” with his family
- The royals are bracing for a tell-all book from accuser Virginia Giuffre, who didn’t sign an NDA
- The Palace has remained silent after yesterday’s announcement
- The duke’s decision will mean that Meghan Markle, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice will never have to take the stand
“People think he’s keeping a low profile to respect the family but it’s not that.”
Mr Fitzwilliams yesterday said: “The Queen can now celebrate with only Harry’s memoir to be concerned about.
“That is very different.”
It’s understood the Duke of Sussex accepted a £14.5million advance for the book. He will reportedly donate the profits to charity.
Announcing the deal, the royal vowed to write a “wholly truthful” account, “not as the prince I was born, but as the man I have become”.
But he’s faced criticism for his decision to release the memoir during his grandmother’s Platinum Jubilee year.
Read our Royal Family live blog for the latest updates
And now a slew of experts say he could well be reserving his opinions on Camilla for the tome.
Sarah Robertson told GB News earlier this week: “The silence in itself spoke volumes and my source told me Harry does have lots to say about it, but that those opinions are being kept for the book deal.
“He’s got a £20m book deal, so he’s obviously got to deliver something that’s going to make people want to go out and buy it.
“This book was signed on the premise that he does talk about personal memoirs, family arrangements, things that have affected him in his life growing up, things he’s been witness to.
“He’s saving these opinions for that book.”
