Queen set to help pay for $16m Prince Andrew settlement with Virginia Giuffre, reports say

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By Carina Murphy

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Prince Andrew will use some money from the Queen to pay his $16 million settlement with sexual assault accuser Virginia Giuffre, The Telegraph reports.

On Tuesday, it was announced that the Duke of York had reached an out-of-court settlement with Giuffre that meant he no longer faced a public trial.

Giuffre accused the prince of sexually abusing her when she was 17 after his friend - convicted pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein - introduced them.

The terms of the settlement will prevent both Giuffre and the Duke from talking publically about the case or the settlement. According to reports, the total amount that will be paid by Andrew to Giuffre and her charity for sexual abuse victims exceeds $16 million (£12 million).

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The Duke of York and his mother the Queen in summer 2018. Credit: Doug Peters / Alamy

Reports also suggest that the Queen - who has already spent millions funding her son's legal battle - will be partially responsible for footing the bill and paying Giuffre's settlement.

A joint statement filed to the New York court on Tuesday stated that "Virginia Giuffre and Prince Andrew have reached an out-of-court settlement."

It went on to reveal that on top of the legal settlement the Duke would make a "substantial" donation to Giuffre's charity.

Meanwhile, The Independent reports that Prince Andrew has agreed not to repeat his denial that he raped Giuffre as part of the terms of the confidential settlement. He has always insisted that he has no recollection of meeting her and that her accusations are groundless.

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A photo allegedly showing Prince Andrew and 17-year-old Virginia Giuffre in Jeffrey Epstein's house. Credit: Pictorial Press Ltd / Alamy

"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," the statement reads.

It goes on to express admiration for Giuffre and other victims of abuse, saying: "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."

Featured Image Credit: Alamy / Ian Hinchliffe