Queen's distress as Andrew 'holes up at Balmoral to avoid being served', insider says

It’s been a hard year for Her Majesty the Queen, who lost her husband Prince Philip in April.

Our monarch has suffered through the Duke’s sad passing and there’s more anguish to come as Prince Harry gets set to release his memoir.

The Queen escaped to her Scottish estate of Balmoral for a quiet summer and has spent time with Prince William, Kate Middleton and the great-grandchildren.

But her peace has been shattered by the sudden arrival of Prince Andrew.

It’s alleged that the Duke of York has travelled over 500 miles to Balmoral to avoid being served sexual assault papers at his mansion in Windsor.

A source told the Sun that the Queen “must be wondering when she will get any peace and quiet.”

© Getty Images The Queen has suffered through the royal crisis

US lawyers have made several attempts to serve Andrew, who wished to interview him as a ‘witness’ about paedophile Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes.

But it’s thought the Prince is now being seen as a ‘person of interest’.

The Duke was joined by his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson on the long journey up to his mother’s 50,000-acre retreat, where it’s thought he’ll stay when the case is heard.

The source added, “He knows he is far safer up at Balmoral on the Queen’s estate. Andrew is always described as the Queen’s favourite son but she is meant to be on holiday at Balmoral.”

Prince Andrew has been in the spotlight since his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein surfaced in 2019.

He stepped back from public duties ‘for the foreseeable future’ and - bar his interview with Emily Maitlis - has remained tight-lipped about accusations of his part in the scandal.

38-year-old Virginia Roberts - now Virginia Giuffre - accused the Duke of forcing her to have sex with him three times on Epstein’s orders.

Ms Giuffre was 17 at the time of the alleged offence, Andrew strenuously denies the claims, and says he doesn’t remember meeting her.

Buckingham Palace no longer acts on the Duke’s behalf since he stepped down as a working royal and refers all enquiries to his legal team.

Prince Andrew's lawyers declined to comment on the claims.