GIUFFRE v. PRINCE ANDREW, DUKE OF YORK Civil Complaint — Filed August 9, 2021
Virginia Giuffre filed a federal civil lawsuit against Prince Andrew, Duke of York, in the Southern District of New York under the New York Child Victims Act. The complaint alleged that Prince Andrew sexually abused Giuffre on multiple occasions in 2001 when she was 17 years old.
ALLEGATIONS: The complaint alleged that Prince Andrew engaged in sexual acts with Giuffre at three locations: 1. Ghislaine Maxwell's London residence 2. Epstein's Manhattan townhouse (9 East 71st Street) 3. Epstein's private island (Little St. James, U.S. Virgin Islands)
Giuffre alleged she was directed by Epstein and Maxwell to engage in sexual acts with Prince Andrew. A widely circulated photograph from 2001 showed Prince Andrew with his arm around Giuffre at Maxwell's London residence, with Maxwell visible in the background.
PRINCE ANDREW'S RESPONSE: Prince Andrew denied all allegations. In a November 2019 BBC Newsnight interview that was widely criticized, he stated he had "no recollection" of meeting Giuffre and questioned the authenticity of the photograph.
SETTLEMENT: On February 15, 2022, the parties announced an out-of-court settlement. Prince Andrew reportedly paid a substantial sum, though exact terms were not publicly disclosed. The settlement stated that Andrew "never intended to malign Ms. Giuffre's character" and that he would make a "substantial donation to Ms. Giuffre's charity." Prince Andrew stepped back from royal duties and was stripped of military affiliations and royal patronages.