Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the disgraced Duke of York, has not reimbursed his family for a £12 million loan intended for his settlement with Virginia Giuffre. This amount was provided by his parents and King Charles, amid ongoing scandals linked to sexual abuse allegations.
Background of the Loan
To settle the 2022 civil lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre, Andrew received substantial financial backing from his family. The breakdown of the loan is as follows:
- £7 million from the late Queen Elizabeth II
- £3 million from the estate of Prince Philip
- £1.5 million from King Charles III
This financial assistance was reportedly aimed at preventing any negative impact on Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in February 2022, as per sources familiar with the matter.
Details of the Settlement
Virginia Giuffre accused Andrew of sexually abusing her after she was trafficked by convicted sex offenders Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. While the settlement resolved her lawsuit and silenced her claims, it did not allow for an open court examination of the allegations.
Andrew had intended to finance the settlement by selling his luxury ski chalet in Switzerland, valued at £19 million. However, complications regarding mortgage debt rendered the sale unprofitable.
Ongoing Investigations
As these financial matters unfold, Andrew’s past ties to Jeffrey Epstein are under scrutiny. Thames Valley Police have been in discussions with the Crown Prosecution Service regarding potential misconduct during Andrew’s tenure as a UK trade envoy.
Investigators are exploring evidence that suggests Andrew may have shared confidential information with Epstein. Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright stated that the police are assessing whether a criminal offense could be involved and if further inquiry is warranted.
Reactions and Implications
As of now, there has been no repayment from Andrew regarding the loans from the Royal Family. Sources indicate that the financial support secured Giuffre’s silence but has left her without the opportunity to pursue a public trial.
In response to these developments, El-Balad has reached out to Buckingham Palace for any comments regarding Andrew’s failure to repay the borrowed funds or the ongoing investigations.
