Prince Andrew has escaped to Scotland in order to avoid being served legal papers surrounding a rape charge by US officials, according to reports.
The Duke of York is said to have sped up to Balmoral from the Royal Lodge to join the Queen on her holiday in a bid to avoid the attention of lawmakers across the Atlantic amid claims he sexually assaulted Virginia Giuffre.
The 61-year-old has failed to respond to accusations the then-teenager was forced to sleep with the Prince by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Court papers lodged in New York state, which are due to be heard on Monday, accuse the Prince of “rape in the first degree”.
However, The Sun has now reported he will be ‘holed up’ at the Queen’s 50,000-acre estate when his case is heard after making the 500-mile drive with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.
A source told the paper: "Andrew was going stir-crazy inside Royal Lodge for the past few weeks.
"He wasn't going horse riding and couldn't step outside because of attempts to serve him with the legal papers.
"He knows he is far safer up at Balmoral on the Queen's estate.
"Andrew is always described as the Queen' favourite son but she is meant to be on holiday at Balmoral."
Ms Giuffre's lawsuit states she was "forced to have sexual intercourse with Prince Andrew against her will" - a claim the Prince denies.
The civil suit will be heard by phone link on Monday, September 13.
