Prince Andrew in a new £220,000 Bentley? Nothing surprises me about that man, says a French socialite who is suing him for £6.7million over a ski chalet he bought in Verbier
As the new owner of a £220,000 Bentley, the Duke of York can expect no shortage of admiring glances. But one woman is distinctly unimpressed by his expensive new toy – French socialite Isabelle de Rouvre.
The 75-year-old mother-of-four is suing the Duke and ex-wife Sarah Ferguson for £6.7 million, which, she alleges, remains outstanding from when they bought her Alpine chalet in Verbier in 2014.
Last week, Andrew was driven from his father’s funeral in the 200mph Flying Spur, which he has had resprayed in British racing green. While his extravagance has raised eyebrows in some quarters, Ms de Rouvre, 75, declared herself not in the least bit shocked.
As the new owner of a £220,000 Bentley, the Duke of York can expect no shortage of admiring glances
Ms de Rouvre became friends with the Yorks when they repeatedly rented her chalet in Verbier. She sold it to the couple for about £18 million in 2014.
‘You know, nothing surprises me about him. Nothing,’ she told The Mail on Sunday pointedly.
She said she hopes her legal action to recoup her millions will be resolved ‘soon’, adding: ‘The case is in the courts.’
A source close to the Duke said: ‘The Swiss chalet remains on the market at the asking price of 22 million Swiss francs [£17.3 million]. It is expected that its sale will enable outstanding debts on the property to be met.’
Andrew, who stepped down from Royal duties over the continuing scandal of his friendship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, took delivery of the Bentley in September. It came in blue but the colour was not to his liking, so he arranged for it to be resprayed. It also now has personalised number plates.
He was in the rear seat as it was driven from Windsor Castle following Prince Philip’s funeral last weekend to Royal Lodge on the Windsor estate, where he lives.
Members of the Royal Family are often given favourable lease deals on their vehicles.
Ms de Rouvre became friends with the Yorks when they repeatedly rented her chalet in Verbier. She sold it to the couple for about £18 million in 2014.
She later claimed the Yorks missed a 2019 deadline by which another chunk of the outstanding £6.7 million was supposed to be paid.
Previously, a source close to Ms de Rouvre has said: ‘Isabelle was thrilled that the chalet, which has given her so many happy memories, was being bought by friends. Sadly this dispute has ruined everything.’
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