Tatiana Maria
Majesty
- Joined
- Oct 15, 2013
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- United States
Well according to this the Queen is helping foot the bill.
I'd rather not trust any information coming from a Twitter account and any article that marks itself "exclusive".
It is the norm for newspapers to maintain a Twitter account and to use it to share links to their stories. At the same time, I can't see a reason not to post a direct link to the newspaper article.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2022/02/15/queen-help-pay-12m-prince-andrew-settlement/
The story is by Victoria Ward and Josie Ensor. No source is disclosed, although the Telegraph is a generally reliable newspaper (and regarded as pro-monarchy, which may explain why a source with royal connections (if that is the case) would disclose information to it exclusively).
The terms of the deal prevent either side from discussing the case or the settlement itself in public.
However, The Telegraph understands the total amount that will go to Ms Guiffre, who was trafficked by the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, and her charity exceeds £12 million.
The Queen has already privately funded the Duke's legal fight to the tune of millions of pounds and will now partly fund the settlement [...]
Negotiations over the settlement are understood to have lasted for at least 10 days, with the Duke's team changing tack when the date for his deposition – which would have seen him questioned under oath by Ms Guiffre's legal team – was set for March 10.
[...]
The deal was agreed at the weekend, the Telegraph understands. A source said: "After his deposition, he would likely have been so damaged that no one could save him or agree to fund his settlement."
[...]
Instead, he 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". Such support is understood to be shown, in the main, by his financial donation.
[...]
Although a line has now been drawn under the legal process, he is not expected to regain any of his royal privileges or titles. He will keep his dukedom and the Windsor home, Royal Lodge, that he shares with his former wife the Duchess of York.
[...]
However, he is not expected to take part in any further public events or celebrations linked to the Jubilee for the rest of the year after being advised to keep his head down.
[...]
Until late last year, the Duke had privately expressed his desire to return to public duties, adamant that he would clear his name. However, it is now accepted that he will be forever tainted by the case.
Although 99 per cent of civil cases in the US are settled out of court, the decision to pay off his accuser rather than fighting to clear his name in court is likely to be seen by the public as an admission of guilt.
Any comeback would have to be many years down the line and would only be possible if there was a significant change in public opinion, the Duke's advisers accept.
The Queen's contribution to the settlement will come from her private Duchy of Lancaster estate, which recently increased by £1.5 million to more than £23 million.
If the information is correct, it sounds as if the promise of financial assistance was used to induce the Duke to reach a settlement quickly before going through deposition.
£12 million converts to approximately $16 million.
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