Epstein case: an agreement has been reached between Prince Andrew and his accuser, Virginia Guiffre

An amicable agreement has been reached between Prince Andrew and Virginia Giuffre, a 38-year-old American who accuses Queen Elizabeth II's second son of sexual assault, according to the plaintiff's lawyers in a court document seen by the AFP.

As part of this agreement, he will make a “significant donation” (the amount has not been disclosed) to the association supporting victims of sexual violence led by his accuser.

A way for the prince to dodge a civil trial and sworn depositions.

Since 2015, Virginia Guiffre claims to have been forced into sexual relations with the prince in London, New York and on a Caribbean island, when she was only 17 years old, in 2001. These meetings would have taken place in residences of the couple formed by the multimillionaire accused of being at the head of a network of underage prostitutes, Jeffrey Epstein - found dead in his cell in 2019 - and the British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, both friends of the prince.

The “pariah of the kingdom”

Allegations denied en bloc by the younger queen, who will even go so far as to say that he does not remember the young woman.

His defense was undermined by the publication of several photos, including one, now famous, showing the prince, smiling, hugging the very young Virginia (Roberts, at the time) by the waist.

Other photos will follow, revealing the links that the prince has maintained for years with Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplice.

VIDEO.

Epstein case: Prince Andrew's accuser begs the British to support her

Wanting to break the silence, the duke had chosen to explain himself in 2019, during a calamitous interview with the BBC.

A performance that will be for many, perceived as a "shipwreck" sweeping away the little credibility that remained to him.

Embarrassed, the royal family announced the next day its withdrawal from public life.

Read alsoEpstein case: Prince Andrew, an “untouchable” ostracized from the crown

Since then, this former helicopter pilot, once celebrated as a "hero of the Falklands war", has continued to flee the palace and the media spotlight.

Ultimate disavowal, in mid-January, Prince Andrew even had all his military titles withdrawn by Buckingham Palace.

But the "pariah of the kingdom", as some now call him, remains the protege of his mother who, despite the scandal, continues to receive "her favorite son" in her apartments, according to biographers of the British monarchy.