Prince Andrew’s decision to settle his sex assault case takes precedence on most of the front pages on Wednesday, with many papers reporting that the Duke was ordered by the Queen and Prince Charles to make a deal.
The out-of-court settlement in the US civil case means Andrew makes no admission of guilt over claims by Virginia Giuffre that he sexually assaulted her on three occasions when she was 17, allegations he has repeatedly denied. He had previously said he intended to fight to clear his name in court.
A letter filed with the US judge on Tuesday said the parties had reached a “settlement in principle” for an undisclosed sum.
The Mirror says Andrew was under “intense pressure from the very top” to come to an agreement with his accuser to avoid the risk of any courtroom drama overshadowing the Queen’s 70th Jubilee celebrations this year. “Andrew does £12m deal to halt sex claim”, its main headline says, in a deal done “under Queen and Charles’s orders”.
Tomorrow's front page: Andrew does £12M deal to halt sex claim #TomorrowsPapersToday https://t.co/gaaDCSzbeQ pic.twitter.com/DHr36lsAQq
— The Mirror (@DailyMirror) February 15, 2022
The Sun’s splash headline is “His final disgrace”, and also reports that the deal – which it claims is worth up to £12m – was made so that the Queen’s big year was not overshadowed. “Lifetime exile from royal duties”, a subhead notes.
Tomorrow's front page: Shamed Prince Andrew agrees a payout of up to £12 million to settle his sexual abuse lawsuit with Virginia Giuffre https://t.co/BpwCuGLc2t pic.twitter.com/CHa99MxHNV
— The Sun (@TheSun) February 15, 2022
The Mail’s front page has the headline “Duke’s final ‘£10 million’ humiliation”, and above that it says that “Andrew settles with accuser in grovelling climbdown – slamming the door on a royal return for ever”.
Wednesday's @DailyMailUK #MailFrontPages pic.twitter.com/iAt7AIfSKZ
— Daily Mail U.K. (@DailyMailUK) February 15, 2022
The Express is in similar territory but wraps it all up in one emphatic headline. “Andrew cuts sex case deal … but there’s no way back”, it says. It puts the deal at £12m.
EXPRESS: Andrew cuts sex case deal #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/8frsMTQWKY
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) February 15, 2022
The Guardian’s headline is “Prince settles Giuffre sex assault case out of court” while on the inside pages royal reporter Caroline Davies writes that the settlement raises lots of questions but answers none about what happened between the prince and Giuffre.
Guardian front page, Wednesday 16 February 2022: Prince settles Giuffre sex assault case out of court pic.twitter.com/y6sVSChpm9
— The Guardian (@guardian) February 15, 2022
The Telegraph’s main story is headlined “Queen to help pay for £12m settlement”, a claim that might become a big talking point. A pointed commentary by columnist Camilla Tominey promoted across the top of the page says “Royals are better off without Andrew”.
🗞️The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph:
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) February 15, 2022
'Queen to help pay for £12m settlement'#TomorrowsPapersToday
Sign up for the Front Page newsletterhttps://t.co/x8AV4Oomry pic.twitter.com/NZFiibXQYx
The i has “Prince pays to settle sex assault claims” and the Metro says “Duke pays up at last”.
Wednesday's front page: Prince pays to settle sex assault claims #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/DScsAKEO62
— i newspaper (@theipaper) February 15, 2022
Tomorrow's Paper Tonight 📰
— Metro (@MetroUK) February 15, 2022
'DUKE PAYS UP AT LAST'
🔴 Andrew strikes deal with Virginia Giuffre before Platinum Jubilee#tomorrowspaperstoday https://t.co/YLqfRAvMHI pic.twitter.com/Sq98xhtknw
The Times leads with “Biden doubts Russian withdrawal”, but it does have the Andrew story and picture on the front: “Duke agrees payout to settle sex assault case”.
TIMES: Biden doubts Russian withdrawal #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/hcliVTPSzJ
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) February 15, 2022
The Daily Record’s splash is “Andrew’s £12m deal to stop sex claim” while the Yorkshire Post has “Duke settles case on sex assault claim”.
Tomorrow's Daily Record leads on Prince Andrew being ordered by The Queen and Prince Charles to agree a £12million out-of-court settlement with his sex abuse accuser Virginia Giuffre #scotpapers #tomorrowspaperstoday @hendopolis pic.twitter.com/MOtR4AsXLg
— The Daily Record (@Daily_Record) February 15, 2022
