PRINCE William and Prince Charles are said to be “absolutely furious” with Prince Andrew over his mounting legal bills, it was reported today.
The Duke of Cornwall and the Duke of Cambridge are reportedly fuming over suggestions the Queen may be asked to settle her son’s fees – although some sources have already said she won’t.
Andrew is currently waiting on tenterhooks for a judge to decide whether his rape accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre’s civil lawsuit will be ditched.
And in the meantime, it is believed he is having to raise funds to pay for the ongoing legal battle, with Wills and Charles both reportedly adamant the Queen should not bail him out.
A source told the Mirror: “They are both of the opinion that Andrew can sort out his own mess.”
Prince Andrew has always fiercely denied the allegations against him.
If the lawsuit goes ahead, he will face a full civil trial in New York over claims he sexually abused Ms Giuffre on three occasions in 2001 when she was 17.
But insiders have claimed he could try to settle the lawsuit out of court if it goes to trial, with his lawyers keeping the settlement option “on the table” due to the negative impact a court case could have on other senior royals.
In that scenario, it’s thought that the Duke could have to pay out more than $5million (£3.7million) to persuade her to settle.
A source told The Mirror: “It is crunch time for Andrew on several fronts.
“He is meeting all the costs himself so he needs to raise cash fast to pay bills which are increasing by the day.
“If there was the potential to settle, well, that is an option, but it is in no doubt that the Queen would not assist him in doing so.”
It comes after it was revealed Andrew had sold his £17million chalet in Verbier, Switzerland – and could use the money to fund his case.
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The duke is said to be confident that paperwork will be completed soon and needs the money to fund his sex abuse case.
A source close to the sale said: “A buyer has been found and a price has been agreed.
“Things are proceeding. It has not been completed yet. But it is hoped to be very soon.”
PRINCELY SUM
The duke’s team are waiting for a judge to decide whether Ms Giuffre’ civil lawsuit should be dropped altogether.
They claim a secret 2009 deal she made with billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein exempts Andrew from legal action.
But Judge Lewis Kaplan is unlikely to accept the pending motion, meaning lawyers will have to decide whether to settle or risk a gruelling grilling from lawyers in court.
Ms Giuffre claims she was forced to have sex with Andrew three times between 1999 and 2002 — in London, New York and on Epstein’s private Caribbean island, which he vehemently denies.
Now 38, she has filed a battery and infliction of emotional distress lawsuit against Andrew.
No discussions about whether to settle her case out of court have been had between Andrew and his team so far, it is understood.
A settlement would mean he – and potentially other close members of the Firm – would avoid a court appearance.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment.
