PRINCE Andrew is finally “worried” about the bombshell sex assault case against him – after feeling confident the allegation would be dropped, it’s claimed.
The Duke of York is set to face a lawsuit in the US after the High Court in the UK agreed to serve him papers.
He had previously been hoping to have the case thrown out on a technicality after his Hollywood lawyer argued the documents hadn’t been officially served.
However, with the news that the case will go ahead, sources reveal Andrew’s bullish mood has changed, The Mirror reports.
He remains cloistered at Balmoral and is reportedly bracing himself for a legal battle that could go on for years and end up costing him millions of pounds.
Andrew faces allegations he forced Virginia Roberts Giufrre to sleep with him when she was 17.
Ms Robert was a former sex slave of late paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Legal experts have predicted she could be awarded around £14million if she wins.
Last week, Andrew was reportedly so confident the case would collapse that he was plotting a return to the royal frontline.
That hope was in spite of the alleged wishes of older brother Charles.
However, insiders now say he seems concerned.
He vehemently denies the allegations against him.
One source told the publication: “He’s not been his usual blasé self, acting like everything is in hand.
“The issue has suddenly become very pressing and there is a distinct tension in the air.
‘DRAMATIC SHIFT’
“There has been a dramatic shift in mood and the reality that this could not only go on for many months, if not years, as well as costing potentially millions of pounds is very real.”
Another insider added: “The stark reality is that the Duke and his team need to face the fact they need to address this.”
Ms Roberts’ lawyer David Boies told The Celeb Report: “We are hopeful that Prince Andrew will now stop trying to evade and delay facing his accuser in court.
“The bottom line is Andrew is being served. He cannot refuse.”
A judge this week blasted the royal’s legal team for delays.
Andrew’s lawyer argued the case should be dismissed and branded it “baseless” during a 30 minute telephone pre-trial hearing.
Super-lawyer Andrew Brettler told the federal court in New York that it was a “non-viable and potentially unlawful” case.
But Judge Lewis Kaplan appeared largely unimpressed – and replied: “You have a pretty high degree of certainty that he can be served sooner than later.
“Let’s cut out all the technicalities and get to the substance.”
The case has been listed for a further hearing on October 17.
Meanwhile, billboards featuring images of Andrew emblazoned with the word “WANTED” have appeared across Britain.
Anti-monarchist campaign group Republic put up the striking banners as part of a crowdfunded campaign to “#EndtheMonarchy”.
