He Needs Cash & Fast To Pay For Mounting Bills

Andrew pushing for £17m chalet sale as sex casé decision looms

- Russell Myers

As bills mount over his sex case fight against Virginia Giuffre, Prince Andrew is in a race against time to raise funds to pay them.

And the Duke is now trying to force through the sale of his £17million Swiss chalet, as it emerged the Queen will not pay his legal costs, which have spiralled to £2m.

Andrew could find out later today whether he will face a full civil trial in New York over allegations he sexually abused Ms Giuffre in 2001 on three occasions when she was just 17.

If it gets the go-ahead and he loses, his accuser could also be awarded a settlement which legal experts predict could be as much as £3m.

Andrew could make an 11th-hour offer of a significant out-of-court settlement, but those with knowledge of the case have confirmed no discussions have yet taken place.

A source said: “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? Senior royals including Prince Charles and Prince William were understood to be absolutely furious” when they learned of suggestions that the monarch could be asked to settle Andrew's bills.