PRINCE Andrew today settled his sexual abuse lawsuit with Virginia Giuffre.
The move means three key royals – Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice and Meghan Markle – will no longer need to take the stand in a humiliating and gruelling court battle.
The disgraced Duke was on a collision course with sex trafficking victim Ms Giuffre over claims he raped and abused her when she was 17.
Andrew had been due to put the shocking claims to a jury trial after repeatedly and strongly denying every allegation against him.
A trial could have seen three key Royal Family members called as witnesses: Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie and Meghan Markle.
Beatrice could have had to testify about a trip to Pizza Express in Woking.
Andrew said the trip happened the same night a witness saw him dancing with Ms Giuffre at Tramp nightclub in London – hours before the royal allegedly had sex with the teen.
Royal expert Angela Levin earlier told talkRADIO: “If the case goes ahead […] it will involve Beatrice being brought to court and all sorts of other family members.
“He said he was having a pizza and couldn’t have gone with Virginia to a nightclub, and you have to prove this and then have to get his own family there to support him.
“I think for a senior royal to rely on a technical couple of words in a court case looks absolutely appalling.”
Eugenie could also have faced a subpoena from US lawyer David Boies in a bid to cast doubt on the Pizza Express alibi.
The third royal who could have faced the witness box was Meghan Markle.
David Boies reportedly believed the Duchess of Sussex has “important knowledge” and can be relied on to “tell the truth” about the royal’s behaviour.
The bombshell settlement comes as:
- Virginia and Andrew were both facing depositions under oath in coming weeks
- The Palace remains silent on Andrew’s settlement
- Virginia was reported to have “lost” the infamous original photo of her with Andrew
- The Duke’s lawyers were hunting for women who could “discredit” Virginia
- Andrew’s mysterious wealth came under the spotlight as he lived a millionaire party lifestyle
- Prince Charles banished Andrew from Windsor and told him to “stay out of sight“
- Andrew’s former physio slammed the Duke as “creepy” as he would get naked for massages
But Andrew’s decision to settle has saved all three women from testifying – and has meant neither Virginia nor the duke have to face a deposition under oath.
Eugenie and Beatrice’s mum Sarah Ferguson has also avoided testifying in the lengthy trial.
Ms Giuffre accused the duke of sexually abusing her when she was 17 while she travelled with Andrew’s paedo pals Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
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.”
Andrew’s settlement statement marked the first time he had shown contrition over his relationship with Epstein and Maxwell.
The Duke had previously defended his friendship with the paedo has having “seriously beneficial outcomes” away from the rape allegations.
Giuffre first sued Andrew last August.
It was the first time she had brought action against him after going public with the allegations in 2011.
