The Duke of York has ‘conceded the inevitable’ as his legal team finally accepts legal papers for a civil sexual assault case, it’s understood.

Summons and complaint papers were reportedly sent by both email and FedEx by legal representatives for Virginia Giuffre on Tuesday.

It comes after Prince Andrew was accused of ‘hiding out’ at Balmoral Castle – despite the birth of a granddaughter – amid failed attempts to serve him the documents.

The ninth-in-line to the throne now has three weeks to respond to his accuser’s allegations of rape, sexual assault and sexual battery. He has always strongly denied all accusations.

If he doesn’t respond within 21 days, he could face a default judgment under federal rules.

But Miss Roberts’s attorney expects the duke’s lawyer Andrew B Brettler to apply for a ‘reasonable’ extension to respond to the complaint.

David Boies indicated to the Daily Mail his team would likely allow this, as multiple sources claim this is Andrew’s intention.

Those close to the duke have warned he will ‘come out fighting’ to clear his name. 

His team will dispute Ms Giuffre’s accusations ‘point by point, claim by claim’, it’s claimed.

The alleged victim said it was ‘past the time for him to be held to account’ as she filed her suit for sexual abuse back in August.

She claims she was sexually abused by the Queen’s second son at Ghislaine Maxwell’s home in London.

The Australian-American was also targeted at Jeffrey Epstein’s New York mansion and his private island in the US Virgin Islands, the documents say.

The lawsuit states: ‘In this country no person, whether president or prince, is above the law, and no person, no matter how powerless or vulnerable, can be deprived of the law’s protection.

‘Twenty years ago Prince Andrew’s wealth, power, position, and connections enabled him to abuse a frightened, vulnerable child with no one there to protect her.’

Andrew is the only defendant, although both sex offender Epstein and his former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell are mentioned many times throughout.

Maxwell faces trial for sex trafficking charges in Manhattan federal court at the end of November. She has pleaded not guilty.

The duke has denied all allegations insisting he has no recollection of ever meeting Ms Giuffre.

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