Camilla, Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince William and Prince Andrew seen on the balcony of Buckingham Palace
(Picture: Getty Images)The Prince of Wales had no choice but to persuade his brother Andrew to shut down the US sex abuse case against him.
Charles could not allow it to go on and cause lasting damage to the institution.
After all Andrew — who claimed publicly he didn’t recollect ever meeting his accuser Ms Giuffre — seemed hell-bent on clearing his name at any cost.
Ms Giuffre — who was equally adamant she had sex three times with the royal at 17 after being trafficked by his friend Jeffrey Epstein — wouldn’t back down either.
As the clock ticked towards what would have been one of the most challenging public appearances of Andrew’s life — a legal deposition being grilled by US legal experts followed by a court case — Charles, advising the Queen, was swift and decisive.
I understand Charles had become increasingly troubled by inconsistencies in the case.
He was also deeply worried about how Andrew would cope and appear being cross-examined under oath.
Something had to give in this Platinum Jubilee year, for the sake of the Queen. But this was less about the Jubilee and more to do with the long-term future of the institution itself.
Damage has been done, but it is not irreparable. Newspapers around the world have been scathing, with some suggesting if you have enough money, you can buy your way out of trouble.
Charles was at the heart of the decision last month to strip Andrew his military titles and royal patronages and using HRH.
That will remain the same despite Tuesday’s settlement.
What next for Andrew then? Reputationally, he had to get rid of this — almost regardless of the cost.
The deal means there is no admission of liability.
Andrew can maintain his innocence, with nothing proven against him, and he could argue he was paying a price to protect his family from any further damaging coverage.
But there is no chance of him returning as a working royal.
Oddly he remains a counsellor of state, like his nephew, Harry. Action should be taken to change that.
With Camilla now certain to be the next Queen Consort, surely she and maybe the Princess Royal should be named to replace Andrew and Harry in this role.
