REMOVAL vans have arrived to clear out Prince Andrew’s controversial £17m Swiss chalet.
He is believed to have flogged the beloved property to help settle his multi million pound settlement with sex accuser Virginia Giuffre.
Photos showed a large distinctive blue van from London-based firm Abels was outside the property in Verbier this week, reports MailOnline.
And locals said that boxes have been packed up and taken from inside into the vehicle as the property appears to being “cleared”.
Chalet Helora – which has an indoor pool and sauna – had been on the market for 22million Swiss Francs (£17.6m).
Andrew has been lying low since agreeing an undisclosed settlement with Virginia.
READ MORE ON PRINCE ANDREW
She alleged she was trafficked to have sex with him when she was just 17 by notorious paedos Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
And despite bullishly vowing to fight his case in court, Andrew agreed to quietly settle the lawsuit In February.
Questions loomed over how he was going to pay for the settlement – which was estimated at up to £12million.
Andrew is understood to have have taken a loan from his older brother Prince Charles to cover most of the expenses.
And its is believed much of the cash to pay the Prince of Wales back will come from the sale of the Duke of York’s holiday home.
“It’s the talk of the place – everyone knew it had been sold and now the removal van has turned up,” a local resident said.
“We used to see the Duke and his wife here all the time but in recent years it’s been Sarah with the children – I know they both loved the place and had many wonderful years here.
“Sarah was here at New Year with her family for the last time and they watched the firework display from the balcony – I really think it was with a heavy heart they sold it as Sarah used to ski here all the time when she was younger.”
Pictures from inside the lodge show it has a pool and lavish living areas – once being hailed as one of the “best properties in Verbier“.
Andrew is known for his expensive tastes, often living life large and raising questions about his finances.
The lodge was put up for sale last year by the Duke.
It was reported in January that a buyer had been found for the seven bedroom Chalet.
Andrew had faced a £6.6million debt to socialite pal Isabelle de Rouvre who sold the Swiss ski chalet to the Duke of York and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, in 2014.
While the agreement was that the house would be paid for in installments, Ms de Rouvre claims the Yorks were unable to meet a deadline for repayment.
They were sued for £6.6 million including interest in 2020.
However, the matter was resolved as the Duke paid his debt last year, it was reported in January.
At the time, Ms de Rourve said: “The war is finished. It is the end of the matter. I have nothing to do with it now. That’s all.”
But Swiss news outlets Le Temps and Le Matin say the property is still at the centre of a legal wrangle over an alleged debt to a couple from Verbier, with whom they have a business relationship.
A source close to the Duke of York said: “Talks are underway to resolve the matter, which are expected to be concluded satisfactorily for all parties, but it in no way prevents the sale of the chalet, which is proceeding and is expected to complete in due course.”
