Duke seen hosting shooting party after Virginia Roberts’ lawyers say he was served papers

RETURN SERVE

PRINCE Andrew’s legal team have reportedly claimed that he hasn’t been legally served by his sexual abuse accuser Virginia Roberts – and plan to get the case tossed out.

Lawyers for Roberts told The Sun on Friday that they had served the prince with papers for their sex assault lawsuit.

The Duke of York, 61, was served at his Royal Lodge mansion in Windsor last month, according to a document filed on Friday.

Roberts, 38, who is one of the most well-known Jeffrey Epstein victims, is accusing the prince of abusing her three times when she was under the age of 18.

Andrew, however, has strongly denied the claims in the past and has said he doesn’t recall meeting Roberts – who also goes by her married name Giuffre.

His lawyers claim the court papers were not properly served and plan to boycott a Monday court hearing, it was reported.

EXPLAINED: WHEN DID THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH PASS AWAY?

On April 9, the Duke of Edinburgh passed away “peacefully” at Windsor Castle.

Her Majesty, 94, shared a poignant photo of Philip in a heartfelt tribute to her “strength and guide” at the time of his death.

The tragic news was a huge blow to the Queen, with the Duke widely known to be the backbone of the Royal Family.

WILLIAM AND KATE GIVEN ‘HIGHER ROLES DUE TO THEIR POPULARITY’, SAYS EXPERT

Andrew Lownie, a royal expert, has claimed that Prince William and Kate Middleton have been given ‘higher roles due to their popularity’.

He told the Express : “We’re in a period of what can be called a soft regency, in effect the Queen is standing back, not doing many roles.

“The roles that she is doing are being accompanied by Prince Charles, everyone is being prepared for Charles and Camilla.

“As a result, William and Kate, who seem to be very popular, are stepping into the position that Charles and Camilla had.

“Because they are, I would say almost more popular than Charles and Camilla, they’ve probably been given a higher role.”

QUEEN TO SPLIT HER TIME BETWEEN BUCKINGHAM PALACE AND WINDSOR CASTLE AFTER SUMMER BREAK, EXPERT CLAIMS

THE Queen is to split her time between Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace after her summer break, sources say.

It is suggested the arrangement is to fend off potential criticism of the £369million refurbishment bill of the palace.

Expert Roya Nikkhah said: “Otherwise many people would think, ‘What’s the point’ of the refurb?’ ”

Her Majesty, 95, has been at Balmoral since June — her first stay there since Prince Philip died in April.

She spent much of the pandemic at Windsor in Berkshire, but is expected to spend more time in London when she gets back.

WHAT DID THE QUEEN’S LETTER TO EMMA RADACANU SAY?

The Monarch’s letter read: “It is a remarkable achievement at such a young age, and is a testament to your hard work and dedication.

“I have no doubt your outstanding performance, and that of your opponent Leylah Fernandez, will inspire the next generation of tennis players.

“I send my warmest good wishes to you and your many supporters. “

PRINCE ANDREW BELIEVES HE CAN RETURN TO PUBLIC LIFE

Andrew, 61, is yet to respond to a sex abuse civil claim lodged in a New York court a month ago.

Jeffrey Epstein’s former sex slave Virginia Giuffre accuses him of “rape in the first degree” and there have been “multiple attempts” to serve him with papers for the lawsuit.

Andrew, who fled his Windsor mansion for the Scottish Highlands on Tuesday, has previously denied any wrongdoing.

And a source said he remains “utterly convinced” that he will be able to brush off the claims.

PRINCE WILLIAM IS PORTRAYED AS VILLAIN FOR ‘REFUSING TO SPEAK OUT ON RACISM’ IN CONTROVERSIAL NEW TV FILM ESCAPING THE PALACE

Harry&Meghan: Escaping the Palace will dramatise the Sussex’s ‘escape’ from the Royal Family after the birth of their son Archie.

The film will portray Prince William as the villain and will show him lecturing his older brother from not speaking out on racism.

Images show Prince Harry (played by Jordan Dean) and Prince William (played by Jordan Whalen) arguing in a Kensington Palace garden.

William tells Harry: “What causes problems isn’t colour, it’s culture. Meghan an American. She acts more like a celebrity than a Royal.”

“You need to bloody well make a statement with me decrying racism. As future King, you need to push on this horrific bullying.”

NO APOLOGIES

PRINCE Harry said his grandad Prince Philip was “unapologetically him” as he and William pay touching tributes in a trailer for a new interview.

A “unique portrait” of Prince Philip and his life will air on September 22 on BBC One – as the Royal Family pays tribute to the beloved Duke who passed away earlier this year.

In anticipation for the documentary, the BBC released a preview showing four of the Royals reminiscing on Prince Philip’s life along with clips of the Duke with his family.

The emotional trailer begins with Prince William saying: “He’s always been a huge presence behind everything we’re done really.”

And then Prince Harry, wearing a white buttoned-down shirt, adds: “What you see is what you got with my grandfather, he was unapologetically him.”

NEW BBC PHILIP DOCUMENTARY GOES INSIDE BUCKINGHAM PALACE

Documentary-makers went inside Buckingham Palace to meet the duke’s long-serving staff and to capture his study, private office and library as they were during his seven decades of public service.

The programme will air on Wednesday, September 22 at 9pm on BBC One and include interviews filmed both before and after Philip’s death in April.

It was originally planned to mark the duke’s 100th birthday in June – but the nation’s longest-serving consort died two months before his centenary.

The BBC added: “With special access to the Queen’s private cine-film collection, this film is an unrivalled portrait of a man with a unique place in royal history – by those who knew him best.”

ALL GUNS BLAZING

Prince Andrew brazenly held a shooting party yesterday — just two days before a court hearing over sex assault claims against him.

The Duke of York hosted guests at the Queen’s private 550-acre Balmoral estate despite the legal challenge facing him in a New York court tomorrow.

And those invited to the ­Scottish retreat are thought to have included the Crown Prince of Bahrain, 51, who is linked to human rights abuses in his home country.

The gathering came as The Sun revealed Virginia Roberts Giuffre’s lawyers claim they have secured the testimony of two key witnesses who say they saw Andrew, 61, with her on two separate occasions.

The Prince stated in a disastrous Newsnight interview in 2019 that he had “no recollection” of meeting Ms Giuffre.

WHAT IS THE SOVEREIGN GRANT?

The Sovereign Grant, which comes from taxes, will rise to cover renovation costs.

But the palace will operate as usual, generating millions through tourism and events.

EXPLAINED: WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE PRINCE ANDREW SERVED STORY?

Lawyers acting for Ms Giuffre insist they have served papers on Prince Andrew for a sex assault lawsuit by leaving them with police at the gate of Windsor Royal Lodge on August 27.

But sources said the Prince’s team believe they had laid a trap for her lawyers and would argue the summons had not been properly served as it should be delivered via a ­British court official.

Yet lawyers for Ms Giuffre — now 38 but just 17 at the time of the alleged rape in the first degree — are certain they have followed the correct protocol.

US District Judge Lewis Kaplan, overseeing the case, will rule on whether he has been served. Ms Giuffre’s people have talked with Johanna Sjoberg and Steve Scully, said to be key witnesses, in recent weeks, The Sun on Sunday can reveal.

Her lawyer David Boies said: “We’ve spoken to a woman who saw them at the Jeffrey Epstein’s mansion and a man who ­witnessed them on the island.”

MONARCHY WILL DIE OUT BEFORE GEORGE HAS CHANCE TO BECOME KING, CLAIMS NOVELIST

NOVELIST Hilary Mantel has claimed that there are only two generations left in Britain’s monarchy, and thus Prince George will never be crowned king.

Although Ms Mantel says that she admires the determination of Queen Elizabeth, she feels that the modernisation of the world means that the royals time is running out.

The novelist, who previously branded Kate Middleton a ‘plastic, jointed doll‘ with ‘no personality of her own’ spoke to The Times about her prediction for the future of the monarchy.

As the article points out, the 69-year-old is accused of hating England, and Brexit voters since she stated she wanted to become an Irish citizen.

The novelist, best known for her Wolf Hall trilogy which followed the rise of blacksmith’s son Thomas Cromwell to Henry VIII’s chief minister, to his downfall and execution, says she admires the Queen’s determination.

QUEEN TO SPLIT HER TIME BETWEEN BUCKINGHAM PALACE AND WINDSOR CASTLE AFTER SUMMER BREAK, EXPERT CLAIMS

THE Queen is to split her time between Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace after her summer break, sources say.

It is suggested the arrangement is to fend off potential criticism of the £369million refurbishment bill of the palace.

Expert Roya Nikkhah said: “Otherwise many people would think, ‘What’s the point’ of the refurb?’ ”

Her Majesty, 95, has been at Balmoral since June — her first stay there since Prince Philip died in April.

She spent much of the pandemic at Windsor in Berkshire, but is expected to spend more time in London when she gets back.

EMMA RADUCANU SAYS SHE WILL ‘FRAME LETTER FROM THE QUEEN’

Emma Raducanu has revealed her plans to frame the letter she received from the Queen following her US Open triumph on Saturday.

The 18-year-old sensationally fired her way to glory on her Flushing Meadows debut with a straight sets victory over Leylah Fernandez in New York. And among the plethora of congratulations messages for Raducanu was one from the Queen herself.

The teenager was taken aback by the words from Her Majesty and insists she will cherish the letter.

She said: “It meant everything to get a message from Her Majesty. She’s such a great inspiration and role model for the whole country so to have a note from her. I was extremely honoured and very very grateful that she took notice of my tennis. I can’t believe it. I’m maybe going to frame that letter or something.”

MEGHAN MARKLE’S ENGAGEMENT DRESS DESIGNER ‘USED FASHION HOUSE TO FUND LAVISH LIFE INCLUDING £1,500 WEEKLY SALON TRIPS’

Tamara Ralph, 39, and her ex-business partner Michael Russo, 40, “personally enriched themselves” before their company Ralph & Russo collapsed, according to claims in documents released by the High Court.

Ms Ralph is being sued by the company’s administrators for £20.8 million in damages, but has denied any wrongdoing and is defending against the claim.

Ralph & Russo designed the Duchess of Sussex’s £56,000 engagement dress, as well as gowns for stars including Gwyneth Paltrow and Kylie Minogue.

Administrators for the company are now suing Ms Ralph, after telling the High Court that she “extracted substantial sums” when she was in “de facto control”.

WOLF HALL AUTHOR HILARY MANTEL SAYS SHE ADMIRES THE QUEEN’S DETERMINATION

Speaking of Queen Elizabeth,95 and Prince Charles she said: “I think they do it as well as anyone possibly could take it as seriously as anyone could.”

However, she then went on to say that she predicted the monarchy would only last another two generations due to modernisation.

“It’s very hard to understand the thinking behind the monarchy in the modern world when people are just seen as celebrities,” she said.

She predicted that Prince George, third in line to the throne after his great grandmother, Queen Elizabeth 95, grandfather Charles 72, and father William 38, would never be anointed, king.

QUEEN TO SPLIT HER TIME BETWEEN BUCKINGHAM PALACE AND WINDSOR CASTLE AFTER SUMMER BREAK, EXPERT CLAIMS

THE Queen is to split her time between Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace after her summer break, sources say.

It is suggested the arrangement is to fend off potential criticism of the £369million refurbishment bill of the palace.

Expert Roya Nikkhah said: “Otherwise many people would think, ‘What’s the point’ of the refurb?’ ”

Her Majesty, 95, has been at Balmoral since June — her first stay there since Prince Philip died in April.

She spent much of the pandemic at Windsor in Berkshire, but is ex­pected to spend more time in London when she gets back.

JUDGE TO DECIDE ON WHETHER LAWSUIT HAS BEEN SERVED ON MONDAY

Lawyers for Virginia also emailed the lawsuit to Andrew’s UK lawyers and US attorney Blair Berk – who formerly represented pervert producer Harvey Weinstein.

In addition, they emailed the Duke of York’s office and received a cheery auto-reply back.

It said: “Thank you for your email to the Duke of York’s office. This is an automatic acknowledgment to tell you we have received your email safely.”

Mr Boies faces a teleconference call over Andrew’s lawsuit with Judge Kaplan in New York on Monday at 4pm EST (9pm UK time).

EMAIL TO ROYAL MAIL – FIVE WAYS LEGAL TEAM TRIED TO SERVE PAPERS ON PRINCE ANDREW (CONTINUED…)

The dramatic approach at the Royal Lodge is revealed in detail in an affidavit by official process server Cesar Augusto Sepulveda.

He said he first went to the Windsor Great Park residence at 9.30am on August 26.

He handed his business card to security and was told to wait, the court papers claim.

Mr Sepulveda then met two Metropolitan police officers, including the head of security, but was told neither the duke nor his staff could be raised. The official server said he was told he could not leave the papers with them and was given details for Andrew’s UK lawyer Mr Bloxsome.

Mr Sepulveda left a message with Mr Bloxsome but heard nothing back. The server says the writ was handed over when he returned the next day at 9.15am.

He says he spoke to another Met officer who phoned the head of security.

Mr Sepulveda was told the court papers “could be left with the Metropolitan Police Officer at the main gates to the property and that this matter would then be forwarded to the legal team”.

Mr Sepulveda’s statement adds: “The deponent did enquire whether it was possible to meet personally with (Prince Andrew) but told this was not possible.”

He added that the Met officer said he could not answer as to Andrew’s whereabouts.

Read the article in full here.

EMAIL TO ROYAL MAIL – FIVE WAYS LEGAL TEAM TRIED TO SERVE PAPERS ON PRINCE ANDREW

The second attempt saw a copy posted directly to the Lodge — aptly via Royal Mail.

The court papers were also emailed to Andrew’s US and UK lawyers, including Gary Bloxsome in Britain and Blair Berk in America.

They were also emailed to Andrew’s lawyers via Barbara Fontaine, Senior Master of the Queen’s Bench Division. The duke’s lawyers confirmed receipt.

Finally, the papers were emailed to the Duke of York’s office. An automated reply cheerily said: “Thank you for your email.

“This is an automatic acknowledgment to tell you we have received your email safely.”

MEGHAN MARKLE’S ENGAGEMENT DRESS DESIGNER ‘USED FASHION HOUSE TO FUND LAVISH LIFE INCLUDING £1,500 WEEKLY SALON TRIPS’

Tamara Ralph, 39, and her ex-business partner Michael Russo, 40, “personally enriched themselves” before their company Ralph & Russo collapsed, according to claims in documents released by the High Court.

Ms Ralph is being sued by the company’s administrators for £20.8 million in damages, but has denied any wrongdoing and is defending against the claim.

Ralph & Russo designed the Duchess of Sussex’s £56,000 engagement dress, as well as gowns for stars including Gwyneth Paltrow and Kylie Minogue.

WHAT DID THE QUEEN’S LETTER TO EMMA RADACANU SAY?

The Monarch’s letter read: “It is a remarkable achievement at such a young age, and is a testament to your hard work and dedication.

“I have no doubt your outstanding performance, and that of your opponent Leylah Fernandez, will inspire the next generation of tennis players.

“I send my warmest good wishes to you and your many supporters. ”

RETURN SERVE

PRINCE Andrew’s legal team have reportedly claimed that he hasn’t been legally served by his sexual abuse accuser Virginia Roberts – and plan to get the case tossed out.

Lawyers for Roberts told The Sun on Friday that they had served the prince with papers for their sex assault lawsuit.

The Duke of York, 61, was served at his Royal Lodge mansion in Windsor last month, according to a document filed on Friday.

Roberts, 38, who is one of the most well-known Jeffrey Epstein victims, is accusing the prince of abusing her three times when she was under the age of 18.

Andrew, however, has strongly denied the claims in the past and has said he doesn’t recall meeting Roberts – who also goes by her married name Giuffre.

His lawyers claim the court papers were not properly served and plan to boycott a Monday court hearing, it was reported.

PICTURED: HARRY & MEGHAN PAY TRIBUTE TO 9/11 VICTIMS ON ARCHEWELL WEBSITE

PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle have changed Archewell’s website to the names of 9/11 victims to mark the 20th anniversary of the terror attack.

The Duke and Duchess blacked out the homepage of the website, with the words “In Memoriam, September 11, 2001” followed by rows of the names of the tragic victims.

Meghan and Harry’s tribute on their website comes as world leaders pay tribute to those who lost their lives during the terror attacks.