PRINCE Andrew “gagged” his abuse accuser Virginia Giuffre to avoid ruining the late Queen’s platinum jubilee, it has been claimed.
Virginia made the shock claims in her memoir Nobody’s Girl – a book she wrote before her death aged 41 in April.
Despite insisting he had never met Virginia, the former duke paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault case with her in 2022.
The same year his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, celebrated her platinum jubilee as the first British monarch to reach the milestone.
But as the civil case against her son gathered pace, it was quickly settled – just nine days after the Queen reached the 70th year of her reign.
In the book Nobody’s Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice, it claims Andrew “gagged” Virginia to avoid ruining the jubilee.
According to The Telegraph it read: “I agreed to a one-year gag order… which seemed important to the prince.
“It ensured his mother’s platinum jubilee would not be tarnished any more than it already had been.”
Virginia, who committed suicide in April, has alleged she was trafficked to have sex with Andrew on three occasions.
The former Duke of York has always denied any wrongdoing and maintains he has never met Virginia.
But ealier this month, The Sun revealed Andrew had lied about when he cut ties with paedo pal Jeffrey Epstein.
We revealed Andrew sent an email to Epstein on February 28, 2011, saying “we are in this together”.
Andrew told Epstein in the email: “I’m just as concerned for you!
“Don’t worry about me! It would seem we are in this together and will have to rise above it.
“Otherwise keep in close touch and we’ll play some more soon!!!!”
He signed it HRH Duke of York, adding KG, standing for Knight of the Order of the Garter.
It proved he lied in his 2019 Newsnight interview in which he claimed he broke off contact with the paedo US financier three months earlier.
And last night, Prince Andrew was forced to give up all his royal titles amid the growing sex abuse scandal.
The King finally reached “tipping point” with his brother and held crunch talks with William, it is understood.
Charles is understood to have consulted with his eldest son and other members of the Royal Family before giving Andrew his marching orders.
Yesterday afternoon, Palace chiefs were said to be “considering all options” to deal with the disgraced royal.
Hours later, Andrew, 65, finally fell on his sword and stepped down.
He gave up his Duke of York title, given to him by the late Queen Elizabeth II, and his role as a member of the Order of the Garter.
Last night, Virginia’s family said his decision to give up the titles was a “victory” for her.
They added: “This decisive action is a powerful step forward in our fight to bring Epstein and Maxwell’s child sex-trafficking network to justice.
“Further, we believe it is appropriate for King Charles to remove the title of Prince.
“This moment serves as victory for Virginia, who consistently maintained he knows what happened, I know what happened…
“… there’s only one of us telling the truth, and I know that’s me”.
“This is not just a victory for her, but for every single survivor of the horrific crimes perpetrated by Epstein and his co-conspirators.
“We hope that the days of impunity for the powerful are over.”
Andrew confirmed the move in a blunt statement through Buckingham Palace.
It read: “In discussion with The King, and my immediate and wider family…
“…we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family.
“I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life.
“With His Majesty’s agreement, we feel I must now go a step further.
“I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me.
“As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.”
It has since been claimed King Charles was “protecting” Prince Andrew’s daughters by not stripping him of his titles.
It is understood the removal of Prince Andrew’s titles would have affected the princesses’ rights to use their titles.
And the King was determined to avoid impacting Beatrice and Eugenie, who he has great affection for, it is believed.
Former BBC presenter Jennie Bond pointed out the hidden message in Andrew’s statement, pointing out his use of “we” instead of “I.”
She told Sky News: “This is a clear indication that extreme pressure has been put on Prince Andrew to do the decent thing and fall on his sword.
“There’s no word of apology or contrition as he was forcibly lowered onto his sword. He has no self awareness.
“If he hadn’t fallen on his sword he would have been pushed very firmly onto it.”
Palace sources confirmed he will not be invited to Christmas at Sandringham and will likely be banished from all future major royal events.
But despite receiving his marching orders, Andrew will be allowed to continue living at Royal Lodge in Windsor.
The former Duke has a “cast-iron” tenancy agreement at the luxurious, 30-room pad until 2078.
However, it is understood the King and Wills are eager to get him out of the mansion, which is located a few miles from Windsor Castle.
It is also just half a mile from the Wales’s new home, Forest Lodge.
Ex-wife Sarah Ferguson will no longer use the title Duchess of York — which she has not used professionally for many years anyway.
