Prince Andrew is believed to be plotting a ‘fightback’ into public life, it has been reported.
Days before the Queen’s death in September, the Duke of York was left ‘in tears’ when Charles, as Prince of Wales, told him he would never return to royal duties.
But the royal now has fresh hopes for his future after Virginia Giuffre dropped a sexual abuse case against American lawyer Alan Dershowitz last week.
The American-Australian campaigner against sex trafficking accused Andrew of raping her when she was just 17.
She claimed to have been ‘lent out for sexual purposes’ by the late convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein, and his girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell.
The duke has always strenuously denied the accusations but he reached an out-of-court settlement for an undisclosed sum to avoid going to trial.
Ms Giuffre also claimed that the former Harvard Law School professor was among the men with whom Epstein forced her to have sex with.
Paul Tweed, a media and libel lawyer, said her ‘extraordinary’ admission that she ‘may have made a mistake’ in accusing Mr Dershowitz of abusing her as a teen, prompted questions.
Asked whether the development could help Andrew salvage his reputation, he told The Telegraph: ‘I wouldn’t slam all doors just yet.
‘The battle has moved from the court of law to the court of public opinion but I don’t think anything is insurmountable.’
Last night a source also told Mail Online: ‘Everything has changed and Andrew is determined to fight.’
Reports of his planned battle for return comes after he spent a day shooting with Princess Anne, Prince Edward and other members of the Royal Family.
The duke is expected to be invited for Christmas at Sandringham.
But a source said that his career was not foremost on the new King’s mind as he has ‘a very full tray’.
An insider said: ‘Senior palace aides have previously said that the Duke of York would be supported by the family to forge a new life away from the public gaze.’
Metro.co.uk has contacted Buckingham Palace for a comment.
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