Prince Andrew.Photo: Chris Jackson/WPA Pool/Getty Images
Prince Andrewhas settled debt on a ski lodge in the Swiss resort of Verbier, making it possible for him to sell the property as he faces an ongoingcivil sexual assault lawsuit.
Former owner Isabelle de Rouvre sold the home to Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson in 2014, but there was adisputeregarding a final payment of their share, which totaled $9 million with accrued interest. According to de Rouvre, she sold the property to the couple and made an agreement in November.
“The war is finished. It is the end of the matter,” she told theDaily Mail. “I have nothing to do with it now. That’s all.”
de Rouvre became friends with the royals after they repeatedly rented her chalet and decided to sell it to them rather than put it on the market, according toThe Daily Mail.She took the payment issue over the seven-bedroom hometo courtin 2020.
FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images
Switzerland has been a family ski destination for Prince Andrew, Fergie and their two daughters for many years, sincePrincess BeatriceandPrincess Eugenie— who both welcomed babies last year — were children themselves.
Fergie recently traveled to the country with her daughters and their husbands toring in 2022.
Sarah Ferguson, Princess Eugenie, Prince Andrew and Princess Beatrice.Antony Jones/UK Press via Getty Images
Now that the debt on the $24 million ski chalet is settled, Prince Andrew, 61, may sell the property to aid in mounting legal fees. On Wednesday, a judge rejected Prince Andrew’s attempt to have asexual assault lawsuit against him thrown out, meaningQueen Elizabeth’s son could face a trial date between September and December 2022, according toCNN.
Prince Andrew’s attorneys argued last week to dismissVirginia Roberts Giuffre’s civil sexual assault lawsuit after it was revealed that convicted sex offenderJeffrey Epsteinreached a $500,000 settlement with Giuffre, in which she agreed not to sue any other “potential defendant.”
In the2009 document, which does not name Prince Andrew, Giuffre agreed to “release, acquit, satisfy and forever discharge” Epstein and “any other person or entity who could have been included as a potential defendant.”
Lawyers for Prince Andrew said the deal means she cannot sue him, but Giuffre’s attorneys retorted that the terms of the Florida settlement are irrelevant to her case against the royal.
Prince Andrew; Virginia Roberts Giuffre.Alexander Koerner/Getty; Emily Michot/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty
The Sunday Timesreported this weekend that Andrew’s legal costs have already surpassed $2.7 million
source: people.com
