Disgraced Prince Andrew is ‘broken’ after ‘£12million settlement’ with Virginia Giuffre over rape claims, pal says

DISGRACED Prince Andrew is reportedly "broken" after being ordered to fork over a multi-million pound settlement to Virginia Giuffre.

A source says the duke, 61, has been struggling amid the public humiliation of his legal settlement - speculated to be worth up to £12million.

The source - who served with Prince Andrew during the Falklands War - says the move to let him hang on to his rank as Vice Admiral is an attempt to cheer him up.

They told the : “He is down, he is broken. If he wants to dress up once in a while in a naval uniform, then let him.”

"His reputation is in tatters, his public life is over. He is a walking embarrassment."

The source took a sympathetic viewpoint toward his old chum and defended the fallen royal.

They said: "He served in the Royal Navy in the Falklands War and this was bestowed upon him by the Queen.

"It’s effectively the same as an honorary degree.

“He hasn’t been convicted of anything. I have no idea whether he is guilty or innocent, so I think he has paid quite a heavy price.”

Andrew, who was stripped of his titles by his mother last month, is not expected to ever return to the family’s front line.

The Andrew struck a "cowardly" megabucks deal with accuser Virginia Giuffre just weeks before he was due to be quizzed on oath.

Ms Giuffre was said to be “very, very pleased” with the unprecedented settlement.

The sum remains secret but is believed to be around £12million, say experts.

She will get personal compensation and there is no non-disclosure agreement which would stop her telling her side of the story.

Details of the settlement emerged in a letter filed to the US district court in New York yesterday.

In an extraordinary statement, the Duke of York, 61, told of his “regret” over his ties to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Senior sources have said Andrew, who was stripped of his titles by his mother, will never return to the family’s front line.

Prince Andrew struck a megabucks deal with accuser Virginia Giuffre just weeks before he was due to be quizzed on oath.

Ms Giuffre is said to be “very, very pleased” with the unprecedented settlement.

She will get personal compensation and there is no non-disclosure agreement which would stop her telling her side of the story.