Prince Andrew and Virginia Giuffre settlement is a 'huge relief' for royal family, says author

Royal author Penny Junor said the settlement made by the Duke of York and his accuser Virginia Giuffre is likely to come as a “huge relief” to the rest of the royal family.

She said: “Going to trial, it could have been very, very nasty.

“It could have been embarrassing, humiliating, and it would have been huge fodder for the tabloid press."

“It could have really taken the shine off the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year.”

There has been a “complete change of tone” with regard to the Duke of York’s words on his association with Jeffrey Epstein, one royal commentator said.

A court document published on Tuesday stated that Andrew “regrets his association with Epstein, and commends the bravery of Ms Giuffre and other survivors in standing up for themselves and others”.

Penny Junor said: “At last, he’s expressing some regret and some empathy for those girls.

She said his 2019 Newsnight interview had been “all about him” but that Andrew has “got it right now”.

She added: “He’s got it right now, it took him a long time to get there but I think he’s got it right.”

Asked if there is a way back to public royal life for Andrew, Ms Juror said: “I think it’s very, very unlikely.”