Prince Andrew: Can settlement be start of comeback for Duke of York after being exiled from official royal life?
The damage from Virginia Giuffre's allegations has been huge but no trial will be a huge relief for the Royal Family, who have publicly distanced themselves from the case.
Tuesday 15 February 2022 22:23, UK
After seven years of constantly being reminded of that photograph of Virginia Giuffre and Prince Andrew, and the most damaging allegations haunting the Royal Family, an agreement came completely out of the blue, a settlement that no doubt everyone in the royal household will now hope will begin to shut the story down.
After weeks of legal brinkmanship between the two sides, it was certainly unexpected. Both legal teams could not have been more bullish in their language and clear that they were more than prepared to take this to trial.
So why would both sides settle now?
In some ways, it is easier to see why Prince Andrew would have decided this was finally the moment.
In a couple of weeks, he was facing a deposition from Virginia Giuffre's lawyer David Boies, known to be one of the best deposition takers in America.
Read more: Prince Andrew to make 'substantial donation' to Virginia Giuffre's charity in settlement deal
The deposition would have meant disclosing more information, potentially more damaging details and certainly matters about the prince's private life.
Weighing up the further reputational damage and the financial cost of a trial, it appears settling was the best option.
Why may Virginia Giuffre have settled?
It's slightly more difficult to understand why Virginia Giuffre has settled.
She has always been adamant that she was not up for a deal and wanted to take this to a trial to show that even the most powerful people aren't above the law.
Her lawyer simply says: "I believe this event speaks for itself."
They are clearly happy that they have made their point without going to trial, and you can see why.
Read more: What happens next now a settlement has been reached?
After years of trying to get Prince Andrew and his lawyers to engage, years of being ignored, this settlement will be seen as a victory even without a direct apology, or acknowledgement of the allegations.
And you wouldn't expect Prince Andrew to admit anything.
Could the settlement be the start of a comeback for the prince?
This letter would have been carefully negotiated.
He would not want anyone to think he was potentially admitting to any criminal wrongdoing that could be leapt on by US prosecutors.
He continues to deny all of her allegations, but don't forget authorities in America are still looking into Jeffery Epstein's crimes and those around him.
So can a settlement be the start of a comeback for a prince who has been exiled from official royal life?
The damage has been huge but no trial will be a huge relief for his family, who have publicly distanced themselves from the case, and you wonder how much he decided to settle for the sake of his mother in her Platinum Jubilee year.
Whether we see him at Prince Philip's Thanksgiving Service and Jubilee events will be telling.
And only with time will we see whether the settlement will make the shadow of those allegations really go away.