A BITTER legal battle looms over Prince Andrew’s £12million pay-off to his tragic sex abuse accuser in the wake of her sudden death.
The Royal outcast, 65, reached an out-of-court settlement with in 2022 after she claimed she was trafficked to have sex with him on three occasions when she was just 17.
The controversial bridging loan – authorised by – is now set to be at the centre of a major fight between her estranged husband and her grief-stricken family in the US.
Sources said Robert Giuffre, who has custody of their three young children, remains her next of kin despite the couple splitting after 22 years of .
But Ms Giuffre’s siblings are desperate to protect her legacy in the ongoing fight against global sex abuse.
A source said: “Virginia was in the process of divorcing Robert when she died, but it was far from finalised.
“That means he is entitled to her entire estate as the legal next of kin.
“Her family are determined to make sure that never happens and will contest any claim he makes.”;
They added: “It’s tragic – even in death she can’t escape Prince Andrew.”;
Ms Giuffre’s , , on Friday night.
In a statement .
she was due to appear in court next month after Robert accused her of breaching a restraining order banning her from contacting him or their three children.
She had also moved out of the family’s £900,000 beachside mansion in Perth.
Her lawyer, Karrie Louden, told The Sun: “They hadn’t actually divorced,so I guess Robert would be her next of kin.
“We don’t even know if there’s a will. This is oneof many, many, many questions.
“If we had these answers, it would make things a lot easier for everybody, but we just don’t.”;
It is likely her estate will be made the subject of probate Down Under with interested parties entitled to claim a share of her estate.
Another source said: “No one expected this so there’s a huge amount of work taking place to sort out her affairs but it’s clear – will or no will – it’s going to head to the .”;
Ms Giuffre alleged she was trafficked to have sex with the Duke of York in , and his billionaire pal ‘s lair Little St James, dubbed “paedo island”;.
The Prince has always denied the allegations and claimed to have never met Virginia.
However, a photograph appearing to show them together in a London townhouse – his arm around her bare midriff – was included in her lawsuit against him.
Epstein’s jailed madam, , is also in the picture.
has remained silent since Ms Giuffre’s body was discovered on Friday night.
He when he and ex-wife were seen out to take their corgis for an afternoon walk.
The Duke of York has vehemently denied the accusations – despite paying her off – and pledged to “fight against the evils of sex trafficking”;.
