Prince Andrew has finally broken cover amid reports he could take legal action or write a book to mend his tarnished reputation.
The Duke of York, who appeared to have a dejected expression on his face, was seen horseback riding in the grounds of the Windsor Estate today.
Andrew, 62, was urged earlier this week to try to overturn the multimillion-pound settlement he had reached with his sex abuse accuser, Virginia Giuffre.
Royal analysts believe the Queen has left him a sizeable legacy and this has given him reassurance – should he wish – to launch a legal challenge against Ms Giuffre, 39.
Others suggest Andrew, recently branded as one of the most disliked royals, may be writing a memoir to try to clear his name after consistently denying Ms Giuffre’s allegations.
Prince Andrew (pictured in Windsor today) has finally broken cover amid reports he could take legal action or write a book to mend his tarnished reputation
The Duke of York, with what appeared to be a sad expression on his face, was seen horseback riding in the grounds of the Windsor Estate today (pictured).
Ms Giuffre, a trafficking victim of pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, accused Andrew of sexually abusing her when she was a minor under US law.
Andrew denied the allegations but paid a reported £12million out of court settlement last year to get them to drop the civil suit in the US.
The settlement is believed to contain a non-disclosure embargo, preventing either or both sides from revealing details of the agreement, which is due to expire in March.
“It was designed to mark the year of the late Queen’s platinum jubilee,” a source told the Chron. “Once it’s done, there’s nothing to stop the Duke from possibly becoming more proactive.”
Andrew – who recently claimed to friends that a “mysterious development” will restore his disgraced reputation in the coming months – is also in a much stronger financial position than he was a year ago at the time of the deal.
Prince Andrew with his arm around then 17-year-old Virginia Roberts (now known by her married name Giuffre)
Andrew paid Virginia Giuffre (pictured November 2022) a reported £12million out of court settlement last year to get her to drop the civil suit in the US
There is, of course, another avenue Andrew might consider: following the lead of his nephew Prince Harry and writing a book.
“It’s inconceivable that he didn’t think of it,” said a longtime friend of the Duke. “Many in his circle think he should do just that, and Fergie, who wrote her own memoir, My Story, has all the publishing contacts.
“He would never have thought of that when his mother was alive, but now it would be the perfect answer. Of course, the royals wouldn’t like it, but Fergie made hers and wasn’t ostracized – and as for Harry, they’re even now talking about family reconciliation.
Analysts say a book could offer Andrew a quicker and more satisfying form of redemption than devoting himself to charity.
It is also understood that Andrew consulted lawyers in Los Angeles in an attempt to get Ms Giuffre to retract her allegations and potentially obtain an apology.
He is reportedly ready to file a $100million (nearly £83million) lawsuit against Ms Giuffre if she repeats sexual claims against him in her forthcoming memoir.
Legal sources close to the prince say he is ready “to continue the attack” should she repeat the allegations.
Ms Giuffre’s lawyers declined to comment when approached by earlier this week, but a source close to her insisted the settlement will not prevent her from writing about him, saying: “She will be able to talk about Prince Andrew.”
A leading US attorney has also claimed Andrew should urge Ms Giuffre to return the settlement amid questions about its “credibility”.
The Epstein victim sued Alan Dershowitz for calling her a liar over her claim that she was forced to have sex with him.
But in a statement in November, Ms Giuffre admitted she “may have made a mistake” when she pointed the finger at Mr Dershowitz, who denied her claims.
Mr Dershowitz told the Daily Telegraph this week that Andrew made a “mistake” in not taking the case to court and should now seek to overturn the settlement.
He said: “I never understood why he accepted the settlement. There were many, many good defenses he could have put up.
“He should take all legal action and the media should thoroughly investigate all allegations as this is just the tip of the iceberg.”